Islamabad: A recent statement by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has sparked a significant debate over the alleged corruption within Pakistan’s bureaucracy. Asif, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), accused over half of the country’s bureaucrats of acquiring property in Portugal and preparing to seek foreign citizenship. His claims have drawn criticism from both civil servants and government institutions, leading to a bureaucratic backlash.
According to Khawaja Asif, the actions of these bureaucrats have raised concerns over corruption within the civil service. He pointed out that some officials, including a former aide to ex-Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, amassed billions in wealth through corruption. The minister claimed that one of Buzdar’s close associates received Rs4 billion as a form of bribe (salami) during his daughter’s wedding.
Asif further stated that many of these bureaucrats are now living comfortably in retirement, while politicians continue to struggle with limited resources and lack of foreign citizenships due to their electoral responsibilities. The Defence Minister’s post suggested that the political class was at a disadvantage compared to bureaucrats who could flee the country with new citizenships.
However, officials from the Establishment Division and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have denied any knowledge of such claims. Both organizations, responsible for civil service discipline and accountability, said they had no records or evidence supporting Asif’s allegations. A senior official from the Establishment Division stated that there was no intelligence to suggest that a large number of bureaucrats had purchased property in Portugal or sought foreign citizenship.
While some acknowledge corruption within the bureaucracy, they have rejected the notion that more than half of the civil service is involved in such activities. They argue that accountability should be evidence-based and pursued through proper channels. A senior government official emphasized that if Khawaja Asif had credible information, he should have approached the Prime Minister or the relevant agencies like NAB instead of making these sweeping claims on social media.
The controversy surrounding Khawaja Asif’s statement has caused a stir within Pakistan’s civil service, with many expressing concerns over the damage to morale. Critics argue that the Defence Minister’s comments undermine the efforts of public servants and paint an exaggerated picture of corruption within the bureaucracy.
The government institutions involved have reiterated that any allegations of corruption should be investigated through formal inquiry procedures. While the matter remains unresolved, the debate continues to raise questions about the state of accountability in Pakistan’s bureaucracy and the role of politicians in addressing these concerns.
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