Kh Asif raises alarm over bureaucrats' ‘exodus' to Portugal

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday questioned the commitment of senior bureaucrats to Pakistan, alleging that a significant number of government officers had planned to settle abroad while still serving the country. In a statement on X, Asif said that while Pakistan's bureaucracy had capable and honest officers, many officials had made Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries their permanent homes over the past several years. He alleged that some officers had prepared for their relocation under a deliberate plan while employed by the Government of Pakistan, raising questions about their commitment to the country and their official responsibilities during their tenure. Asif said Portugal had emerged as a destination for what he described as a bureaucratic exodus in recent years. He added that he had raised the issue on social media a few months ago. The defence minister said the officers whose names had surfaced in connection with the matter had held important positions and had remained close to successive governments. He further alleged that an individual who facilitated permanent residency (PR) arrangements had fled after collecting substantial sums of money from several influential bureaucrats.