Defence Minister Khawaja Asif alleges that senior civil servants planned to settle abroad while in government service, naming Canada, the US, the UK and Portugal among their destinations.
TBS Report
21 October, 2026, 04:25 pm
Last modified: 21 October, 2026, 04:29 pm
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has raised concerns over what he described as a "significant exodus" of bureaucrats who allegedly arranged to settle abroad while still serving in government, questioning their commitment to the country, reports NDTV.
In a post on X, Asif said several Pakistani bureaucrats had made Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries their permanent homes in recent years.
He alleged that the officials had prepared for their relocation while employed by the government, raising questions about their commitment to Pakistan and their responsibilities during their tenure.
According to NDTV, citing The Express Tribune, Asif identified Portugal as one of the preferred destinations for bureaucrats seeking to relocate abroad.
He said the officials reportedly linked to the matter had held important positions and maintained close ties with successive governments.
Without naming individuals or presenting documentary evidence in his remarks, Asif also alleged that a person who facilitated permanent residency arrangements for the bureaucrats had fled after collecting substantial sums of money from them.
The minister questioned whether the officials had remained committed to Pakistan while preparing to settle elsewhere.
"Does it rise above all doubt and suspicion, or are they merely in transit?" Asif asked, suggesting that some officials might have viewed their government service as a temporary phase before moving abroad.
He also questioned the conduct of officials who, he alleged, had accumulated wealth through legitimate and illegitimate means while enjoying political patronage.
The allegations have renewed attention on the accountability of Pakistan's civil service, officials' overseas residency arrangements and the relationship between political leaders and senior bureaucrats.
Asif's claims, however, have not been independently substantiated in the reports cited.