Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday accused top officials of massive corruption, claiming that half of the country’s bureaucracy has bought property in Portugal and is preparing to obtain citizenship.
In a post on X, Pakistan’s Defence Minister alleged that these officials had accumulated vast wealth through corruption and are now living luxuriously after retirement.
“More than half of our bureaucracy has bought property in Portugal and is preparing to obtain citizenship. These are not ordinary people but well-known bureaucrats who, after swallowing billions like crocodiles, are enjoying a comfortable retired life,” Asif said.
The defence minister also criticised a senior bureaucrat close to former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, alleging that the official received up to ₹4 billion in salami (ceremonial gifts) at his daughters’ weddings.
“One bureaucrat close to Buzdar received four billion [rupees] in salami alone at his daughters’ weddings. This bureaucracy is polluting our land,” Asif said.
The statement comes at a time when reports of continued neglect of infrastructure and basic public services are emerging in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). This neglect has deprived thousands of residents of essential amenities. Local communities are increasingly expressing their concerns about widespread corruption, political bias and mismanagement of development funds.
Resident Saad Hameed Kayani noted that, despite the PoJK government allocating a significant budget for development initiatives each year, the funds rarely reach the areas that most desperately need them.
He claims that assembly members frequently direct projects to their political allies in return for allegiance, leading to inferior work and a total lack of accountability. Consequently, he mentioned, the public remains unaware of the benefits of the money that has been allocated for them.
While standing alongside the so-called Defence Road, which is vital for nearly 30,000 residents, he pointed out that, despite its importance, the road remains in the same dire condition it was in two and a half decades ago. Vehicles are unable to traverse it, compelling individuals to transport goods on foot, while even patients must be carried manually.
Kayani emphasised that the neglect goes far beyond just roads. The region lacks a functioning District Health Unit (DHU), forcing residents to travel long distances for even the most basic medical services. This deficiency in health infrastructure consistently endangers patients’ lives. Educational facilities are similarly disregarded. Many schools remain unfinished years after work commenced, and even those that have been completed are deteriorating, lacking essential furniture, teaching materials, and a sufficient number of teachers.
(With ANI Inputs)
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