Bureaucracy is defiling Pakistan: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that more than half of Pakistan’s top bureaucracy has purchased property in Portugal and is now preparing to acquire foreign citizenship, thus raising serious concerns over the loyalties and long-term commitments of public servants. “Pak Sarzameen (Pakistan) is being defiled by this bureaucracy,” the minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter), in a sharp rebuke of what he characterised as systemic corruption and unchecked privilege.

Asif claimed that these were not mid-level officials but “well-known and prominent bureaucrats,” many of whom had amassed vast wealth during their careers and were now comfortably retired after “devouring billions.”

He particularly criticised one close bureaucratic aide of former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, stating that the individual had received up to Rs4 billion just in salaami, a traditional wedding gift, at his daughters’ wedding. Despite the eye-watering figures, Asif noted, the official faced no scrutiny and was living out retirement in comfort.

“Politicians only eat the scraps left behind by these bureaucrats,” the minister added, suggesting that unlike bureaucrats who could afford foreign properties and dual nationalities, politicians were tethered to the electoral process and therefore more accountable.

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Although Khawaja Asif did not name specific individuals, his post comes amid growing public debate over elite privilege, foreign asset holdings, and the lack of transparency in Pakistan’s civil service. This is not the first time that the minister has taken to X to voice his concerns, rather shared scathing words for Reza Pahlavi, the US-based exiled son of Iran’s last Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, while simultaneously condemning Western inaction over Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

There has been no official response from the Civil Services or the Establishment Division regarding Asif’s comments.