ISLAMABAD, Aug 12 (Alliance News): Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday said the country’s bureaucracy has evaded accountability for the past 78 years and warned that he will reveal the names of officials who have purchased properties in Portugal.
In an interview with Geo News, Asif questioned whether the number of plots owned by bureaucrats had ever been scrutinized, reiterating his call for their accountability.
His remarks follow his earlier claim that over half of certain bureaucratic circles had acquired properties in Portugal and were seeking citizenship.
He alleged that one senior official, said to be close to former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, received Rs4 billion in “salami” during his daughter’s wedding.
The minister insisted that bureaucrats should be subject to the same rules and regulations as parliamentarians, noting that he has lived in a two-room flat for 25 years, owns no government vehicle, and has no property in elite areas.
Asif said he is conducting an inquiry and intends to make the names public, adding that the person facilitating these purchases has photographs of the buyers.
He urged the media to investigate the matter further. In an earlier post on X, Asif claimed that a man named “Virk” was playing a key role in helping bureaucrats and elites settle in Portugal.
Responding to the recent arrest of Sialkot’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue (ADCR) by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE), Asif denied any involvement.
The ADCR, accused of financial irregularities, was granted a five-day remand.
Asif said the ACE should proceed according to law based on the outcome of the investigation.
Rejecting rumours about his resignation, the minister said his consultations in Murree were linked to the upcoming Punjab by-elections, with final decisions to be made by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif.
He reaffirmed Nawaz as his lifelong leader and expressed full support for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, calling her the party’s future leadership.
