Half of Pakistan’s civil servants seeking Portugal citizenship, claims defense minister

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has alleged that more than half of the country’s top civil servants have bought properties in Portugal and are preparing to seek citizenship there.

In a post on the social media platform X, Asif said many of these officials are retired bureaucrats who live abroad comfortably after “eating billions of rupees.”

He claimed that “more than half of this bureaucracy is preparing to take citizenship,” calling them “renowned bureaucrats” who are now leading lavish lives outside the country.

The federal minister further claimed that a senior bureaucrat closely affiliated with former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar received PKR 4 billion (about USD 14 million) as a “salami” (a monetary gift, often given in an envelope, by guests to the bride and groom or their families) during his daughters’ weddings, and is now enjoying a peaceful retirement overseas.

“Politicians eat the leftovers of the bureaucracy and get beaten up. They don’t have plots or foreign citizenship,” Asif wrote. “They have to face the public and contest elections. This bureaucracy is polluting the soil of Pakistan.”

In a follow-up post, the defense minister said that a particular individual is playing a major role in helping Pakistani bureaucrats and other elites acquire property in Portugal and obtain citizenship.

“This facilitator is providing shelter to them in Portugal,” Asif said, without initially naming the person.

Sources familiar with the matter told Nukta that the individual Asif referred to is Ali Virk, a resident of Kamoke, a town in Punjab province. According to the sources, Virk is reportedly assisting Pakistani officials in securing Portuguese real estate and citizenship, allegedly in pursuit of his own political ambitions.

Former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry also weighed in on the issue, endorsing Asif’s allegations.

In a separate post on X, Chaudhry said, “Khawaja Asif has said something very important — in cities like Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, it’s common knowledge that names of top civil and military bureaucrats are associated with properties in Portugal.”

Chaudhry added that some politicians are also among those holding foreign property. He called for strict accountability measures, saying, “Anyone who owns property abroad in the name of politics or bureaucracy should not be allowed to contest elections or hold public office.”

He also proposed a legal requirement for all officials of grade 19 and above to submit sworn declarations that neither they nor their close family members own assets or have interests abroad. “A false affidavit is a crime,” he emphasized.

When contacted by Nukta, Khawaja Asif confirmed his remarks and said these issues are rarely investigated because those involved often block any attempts at scrutiny.

“The facts have been made public,” Asif said. “But this bureaucracy never allows these matters to be formally investigated because their interests are directly affected.”

Nukta also reached out to several former bureaucrats for comment, but they either declined to speak or said they were unaware of any such activities.

Why Portugal?

Portugal, a scenic country in Southern Europe known for its rich history and high quality of life, has become an attractive destination for global retirees and foreign investors.

Analysts point out that there are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Portugal. The country also offers a “golden visa” program, allowing property investors and their families to obtain residency and eventually citizenship.

Experts say the process is straightforward, and the cost of living is relatively low compared to other European nations, making it a popular choice for high-net-worth individuals from countries like Pakistan.