PAC Demands Full Disclosure of Bureaucrats Owning Properties in Portugal

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has taken serious notice of reports that senior bureaucrats have purchased properties in Portugal, directing the Establishment Division and Interior Ministry to provide a comprehensive list of such officers. The committee, chaired by Junaid Akbar, has also raised concerns over other pressing issues, including the deployment of staff to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season and the closure of Utility Stores across Pakistan. During the PAC meeting, members expressed alarm over allegations that senior government officials had acquired foreign properties, potentially using illicitly earned wealth. The committee demanded full transparency and instructed the relevant departments to submit detailed records of these bureaucrats, emphasizing the need for accountability. The PAC’s action follows serious allegations made by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on August 6, accusing Pakistan’s bureaucracy of widespread corruption. In a post on the social media platform X, Asif claimed that more than half of the country’s bureaucrats had purchased properties in Portugal and were preparing to secure foreign citizenship. He alleged that these officials had amassed their wealth through corrupt practices, enabling them to enjoy luxurious retirements abroad, far from the reach of accountability. Asif further revealed that a top bureaucrat, reportedly close to former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, had allegedly received Rs. 4 billion in “salami” (a traditional wedding gift) at his daughters’ wedding before quietly retiring. The minister’s claims have sparked outrage and renewed calls for stricter oversight of public officials’ financial dealings. In addition to the issue of foreign properties, the PAC also addressed concerns over the deployment of staff to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season. Members questioned the efficiency and transparency of the process, urging the government to ensure that resources are utilized effectively. The committee also expressed dissatisfaction over the closure of Utility Stores in Pakistan, which has left many citizens without access to affordable essential goods. The PAC called for immediate action to address the issue and ensure that the public’s needs are met.