Tazeen Akhtar
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has opened another pandora box in Pakistan sharing the Portugal Scandle of bureaucracy of his country. This is quaite new name of destination of Pakistani powerful people. Previously people know about USA, Canada, UK mostly and Dubai as the last leaks were Dubai leaks. 17,000 Pakistani nationals owned some 23,000 residential properties in Dubai.
Dubai leaks were about properties of both civil and military in Dubai but here in Portugal’s case the defense minister has not mentioned ” bureaucracy” means both civil military or only white collar.
The defense minister has claimed that over half of the country’s bureaucracy has purchased properties in Portugal and is preparing to acquire citizenship. Some anchorpersons aired special programs on this topic and they claimed the number of Pakistani investors in Portugal is approximately 20 thousand and the worth of their investments is nearly $10 Billion.
The financial value of the properties of Pakistanis in UAE is about $12.5 Billion.
Portuguese , Language of 5 Continents – Portugal & Brazil Embassies Celebrate in Islamabad
He said this on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He alleged that several prominent bureaucrats are among those planning their exit. He did not name individuals but suggested the trend was widespread within the civil service.
This revelation has surfaced not from some journalist who is very easy for the powerful elite of this third world country but from the horse’s mounth.
Pakistanis know very well already that the bureacrates have already prepared everything abroad to leave this country as soon as they reach the retirement.
That is why they do not hesitate to call Pakistan the Graveyard of Pakistanis. It is because these powerful people do not want to live in Pakistan but like to be buried here.
Pakistani public remember many leaks in which they came to know how their decision makers are shifting their assets abroad and how desperate the elites including all, civil military , political , bureaucrates, industrialists are to make a second country as their home.
After Dubai leaks in 2022, in January, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Interior was informed that more than 22,000 bureaucrats hold dual nationality.
Pakistan amended the Civil Servants Act, introducing Section 15-A, which now requires all Grade 17 to Grade 22 officers to declare their assets – both domestic and foreign – as well as those of their immediate family.
Human Trafficking Gang Sending Pakistanis to Morocco for Spain, Portugal, Italy Exposed
Express Tribune shared , why Portugal ? The recent focus on Portugal is closely linked to its Golden Visa programme, officially known as the Golden Residence Permit. This initiative allows non-EU nationals to secure permanent residency in the country in exchange for specific types of investments.
Previously, investing in the real estate sector was a popular route to acquire permanent residence, but this option was discontinued in 2023. Current qualifying investments include job creation, research, business development, support for arts and culture, or venture capital funds.
Residency obtained through the Golden Visa programme also allows the main applicant to bring their spouse, children, and parents and in-laws to Portugal. After five years, applicants become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship.
According to Bloomberg, Portugal issued nearly 5,000 Golden Visas in 2024, marking a 70 per cent increase from the 2,901 issued in 2023. The sharp rise is attributed to growing investor interest following Spain’s decision to discontinue its own Golden Visa scheme in April this year.
