Pakistan Bureaucrats Eye Portugal Amid Property Ownership Claims

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Defence Minister and senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif has claimed that more than half of the country’s bureaucracy has purchased property in Portugal and is seeking citizenship. The statement was made on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where Asif alleged that prominent bureaucrats were preparing to leave Pakistan, though he did not name any individuals.

Reports of Pakistani officials investing in foreign real estate are not new. In May 2024, the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) reported that 17,000 Pakistani nationals, including ex-military officers, senior bankers, and top civil servants, collectively owned approximately 23,000 properties in Dubai.

Earlier this year, similar concerns were raised when official data revealed that more than 22,000 bureaucrats held dual nationality. In response, the government amended the Civil Servants Act in July 2025. The revised law requires officers from Grades 17 to 22 to declare both domestic and foreign assets, including those of their immediate family members. This information will be made publicly accessible through the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) as part of transparency measures.

Portugal has emerged as a popular destination for foreign investment through its Golden Visa programme. The scheme allows non-EU nationals to gain permanent residency by investing in areas such as business development, job creation, or research. Although property investment was previously one of the most sought-after routes, this option was discontinued in 2023. Eligible applicants can still pursue citizenship after maintaining residency for five years.

The appeal of Portugal’s programme grew further in 2024, with the country issuing nearly 5,000 Golden Visas, a significant increase from the previous year. Analysts attribute part of this rise to Spain’s decision in April 2025 to end its own Golden Visa programme, prompting investors to look for alternative European options.

Asif’s remarks have sparked debate over the loyalty and long-term commitment of Pakistan’s bureaucracy. Critics argue that senior officials’ foreign investments and citizenship plans raise questions about their dedication to serving the country. Supporters of transparency measures say that stricter asset declaration laws will help address these concerns.

The government has not yet commented directly on Asif’s claims regarding Portugal, and no independent verification has been provided. However, the issue is likely to remain in public focus given the scale of previous revelations about foreign asset ownership among Pakistani elites.