Khawaja Asif took to X today, slamming a "bureaucratic exodus" that he says has seen senior officers abandon their posts for permanent residency in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and, notably, Portugal. He added that many of these officials had plotted the move while still employed by the government, hinting at a deliberate, pre‑planned departure.
The Defence Minister cited unnamed officers who held key positions and were close to successive governments. He said a facilitator—who allegedly helped bureaucrats secure visas—has fled after collecting substantial sums from the officials. No names or documents were released, but Asif’s post sparked a flurry of speculation among political observers.
The allegation comes amid growing concerns that Army Chief Asim Munir is tightening his grip on civilian institutions. Analysts say the exodus threatens to erode the civil service’s independence, which has long operated under the shadow of the armed forces. The Prime Minister’s government, led by Shehbaz Sharif, faces mounting pressure to act before the situation destabilises governance.
In response, the Ministry of Defence has promised a formal inquiry into the claims. Asif urged lawmakers to scrutinise the financial records of the implicated officers. Meanwhile, a senior bureaucrat who left for Portugal last year told a local news outlet that the decision was driven by personal safety concerns, not ambition.
The investigation is expected to begin next week, with the outcome likely to influence the balance of power between civilian authorities and the military establishment. The public will watch closely to see whether the government can restore confidence in Pakistan’s civil service.