Pakistan watchdog to review minister’s claim of bureaucrats buying property in Portugal

Pakistan’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has demanded a detailed briefing from key government institutions following Defense Minister Khawaja Asif’s startling revelation that a large number of senior civil servants have purchased property in Portugal and are preparing to seek citizenship there.

The PAC, chaired by Junaid Akbar Khan, took suo motu notice of Asif’s remarks and directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Ministry of Interior, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and other relevant departments to present comprehensive reports at its next meeting.

The Establishment Division and the Ministry of Interior have also been tasked with providing a list of officers allegedly involved.

The PAC is a key parliamentary body responsible for overseeing government expenditures to ensure public funds are used properly. It examines audit reports prepared by the auditor general of Pakistan and calls officials to account for financial irregularities.

The controversy stems from Asif’s August 6, 2025, post on the social media platform X, where he claimed that “more than half” of Pakistan’s top bureaucracy owns property in Portugal.

He further alleged that many of these officials are retired bureaucrats living comfortably abroad after “eating billions of rupees,” and even cited a bureaucrat linked to a former Punjab chief minister who allegedly received PKR 4 billion in “salaami” (gift money) at his daughter’s wedding.

PAC takes up other matters

During Tuesday’s meeting, the PAC also summoned Ministry of Industries officials on August 20, 2025, over the reported closure of the Utility Stores Corporation (USC), despite government assurances it would remain operational. It also sought an FBR briefing on the withdrawal of tax exemptions in the former FATA and PATA regions.

The committee reviewed audit objections against the Ministry of Religious Affairs, where officials reported a PKR 12 million embezzlement from Hajj remittances. The accused, Kaleem, had fled abroad with a Canadian visa and was dismissed from service, while the ministry asked the FIA to register an FIR.

PAC members criticized delays in action, questioned whether a red warrant or asset seizures had been pursued, and suggested the involvement of a wider network. The FIA said the suspect’s CNIC and passport have been blocked, assets are being seized, and Interpol contact is under review.

The PAC also examined Hajj duty deployments, with the Religious Affairs Secretary confirming around 1,700 staff - from Grade 7 to 18, including a 20% quota for police - are sent annually to Saudi Arabia. Paid allowances at 1980s rates, they travel on service visas and cannot perform Hajj themselves. The committee ordered a full list of all officers sent on Hajj duty.