Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s

Khawaja Asif Explosive Clam. ISLAMABAD: A recent comment from Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has caused a lot of debate.

He claimed that more than half of Pakistan’s government officials own property in Portugal and are trying to become citizens there.

This statement has led to a storm of criticism from government employees and important government departments.

Khawaja Asif’s Allegations: A Bold Claim on Bureaucrats’ Foreign Assets

Khawaja Asif Explosive Clam. In a message posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Khawaja Asif said that government officials

Pakistan are becoming rich through illegal means (corruption) and then buying properties in other countries, specifically mentioning Portugal.

Khawaja Asif Explosive Clam. He gave a supposed example of an old aide to the former Punjab Chief Minister, Usman Buzdar.

This aide reportedly received 4 billion Rupees as a “salami” (a term for a bribe) during his daughters’ weddings.

Asif argued that such corrupt officials can have a luxurious retirement in foreign countries, while politicians cannot have dual citizenship because they have to be eligible for elections.

Strong Rebuttals from Establishment Division and NAB

Departments like the Establishment Division and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) were quick to disagree with these claims. A senior official from the Establishment Division said:

“There is no information or record to suggest that more than half of the country’s government officials have bought property in Portugal or are applying for its citizenship.”

Khawaja Asif Explosive Clam. Similarly, a spokesperson from NAB confirmed:

“We have not found any such things. We are not currently investigating any cases or have any information like that.”

Both departments made it clear that there is no solid proof to support the Defence Minister’s claims.

Civil Bureaucracy Reacts with Discontent

The minister’s social media post has reportedly lowered the morale of government workers. One senior government official said:

Khawaja Asif Explosive Clam. This kind of broad statement sends a bad message to public servants and harms the reputation of the entire system.

It was also pointed out that the government official indirectly mentioned in Asif’s post—the one connected to Usman Buzdar—had already been fired after an official investigation that was approved by the Prime Minister.

Accountability Should Be Evidence-Based, Say Officials : Khawaja Asif Explosive Clam

While they admitted that some corruption does exist among some government officials, other officials stressed that any action taken to hold people responsible should be based on real, credible evidence.

Saying that more than half of the government officials are corrupt is an exaggerated and careless statement,” said a senior official.

If the minister had proof, he should have reported it to the Prime Minister or the right departments like NAB, instead of using social media.

Khawaja Asif’s Address in National Assembly: Focus on Israel, Iran, and Regional Stability

In a separate event, Khawaja Asif spoke in the National Assembly. There, he strongly criticized Israel’s military attack against Iran, calling it a direct threat to peace in the region and the entire world.

“Palestinian children are being killed, and yet the protests are louder in non-Muslim countries than in the Muslim world,” he said, showing great sadness.

He described Iran as not just a neighboring country but a “brotherly nation,” pointing out the long-standing friendly relationship between the two countries.

A Call for Unity in the Muslim World : Khawaja Asif Explosive Clam

Khawaja Asif Explosive Clam. Asif warned that if the Muslim countries do not come together, each one could become a target of similar attacks.

“Israel has already attacked Yemen, Iran, and Palestine. This shows a bigger plan. We need strong leadership now more than ever,” he urged.

He stressed that Pakistan stands firmly with Iran and will continue to support it on international platforms.

On India and National Defence: “Pakistan Is Not Weak”

The Defence Minister also talked about India’s past aggressive actions, saying that it had “faced consequences.”

“India’s false pride has been broken. Their leadership is embarrassed. This was only possible because of our strong military and the unity of our people.”

He praised the armed forces for protecting the country, especially during recent tensions near the coast.

“Our navy’s response forced the enemy to go back. The world was watching, and Pakistan stood strong.”