Summary Says many officials have established permanent residences in Canada, US, Britain and other European countries
ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) - Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has raised concerns over reports that some senior government officials are planning to settle permanently abroad, questioning their commitment to Pakistan despite holding key positions and receiving state privileges.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Asif acknowledged that Pakistan’s bureaucracy includes competent and honest officers but claimed that many officials have established permanent residences in Canada, the United States, Britain and other European countries.
ھماری بیوروکریسی میں قابل و ایماندار افسر موجود ھیں ، اسمیں کوئی شک نہیں ۔ لیکن ایک بڑی تعداد گزشتہ کئی سالوں سے کینیڈا، امریکہ، برطانیہ و یورپ کو اپنا مستقل مسکن بنا چکی ھے۔ اسکی تیاری جب وہ حکومت پاکستان کے ملازم تھے اس دوران انہوں نے باقاعدہ پلان کے تحت کی۔ اس سے انکی ملازمت کے دوران وطن اور ملازمت کے ساتھ کمٹمنٹ پہ راۓ قائم کی جا سکتی ھے۔ اب چند سالوں سے نوکر شاہی کی ہجرت کی منزل پرتگال ھے ۔میں نے چند ماہ پہلے اس موضوع پہ ٹویٹ بھی کیا تھا۔ جن افسران کے نام اس سلسلے میں سامنے آرہے ھیں۔ وہ سالوں سے حکومتوں کی آنکھوں کے تارے ھیں ۔ اھم عہدوں پہ فائز ھیں ۔جس شخص نے PR کی سہولت کاری کی وہ ایک بہت سے بیوروکریٹ امراء سے خطیر رقم لے کر مفرور ھے۔ اس سلسلے میں بہت کہا نیاں گردش میں ھیں۔ میرا ایک سوا ل ھے کہ جو لوگ اعلی عہدوں پہ فائز ھوں وطن نے انکو عزت سے نوازا ھو ۔ جائز ناجائز دولت جمع کرنے کے مواقع ملے ھوں۔ ھم سیاست دانوں کے آنکھوں کے تارے ھوں۔ کیا اس ملازمت کے سفر میں انکی کمٹمنٹ ملک ساتھ شک شبہ سے بالا تر رہتی ھے۔ یا وہ ٹرانزٹ میں ھوتے ھیں۔
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) October 18, 2026
He said some bureaucrats had reportedly made arrangements to move abroad permanently while still serving in government, raising questions about their dedication to national interests and official responsibilities.
The defence minister also highlighted Portugal as a destination reportedly linked to the relocation plans of government officials, noting that he had raised the issue several months ago.
According to Asif, some of the officials reportedly involved have held important positions and received government patronage under successive administrations.
He further alleged that an individual who facilitated permanent residency arrangements for several wealthy bureaucrats had gone into hiding after collecting substantial sums of money.
However, his statement did not provide detailed evidence identifying the officials concerned, the alleged facilitator or the financial transactions.
Asif questioned whether officials who had occupied senior government positions, received national honours and benefited from state support had remained committed to Pakistan throughout their service.
He also raised concerns about whether some officials viewed government employment as a temporary arrangement before moving abroad.
The minister’s remarks have brought renewed attention to questions surrounding bureaucrats’ overseas residency plans, financial resources and obligations to the state.
The matter could warrant a transparent and impartial examination of the relevant officials’ assets, sources of income, foreign investments and compliance with applicable laws. Any allegations of financial misconduct or conflicts of interest would need to be assessed on the basis of verifiable evidence and due process.
