PAC seeks details of bureaucrats purchasing properties in Portugal

Islamabad: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has taken notice of bureaucrats purchasing properties in Portugal and ordered the Establishment Division and Interior Ministry to provide a complete list of such officers.

The committee has also raised concerns over the deployment of staff to Saudi Arabia during the Hajj season and the closure of Utility Stores in Pakistan.

Chaired by Junaid Akbar, the PAC meeting expressed alarm over reports of senior government officers owning properties in Portugal. Members demanded transparency and directed the departments concerned to submit detailed records of these bureaucrats.

Committee member Naveed Qamar said the government had earlier assured that Utility Stores would not be closed and employees would not lose their jobs. However, both actions appear to be underway, prompting the PAC to summon relevant officials for an explanation.

The committee also discussed the annual deployment of staff to assist pilgrims during Hajj. The religious affairs secretary informed members that around 1,700 personnel, including a 20% quota for police, are sent each year. According to Saudi guidelines, one assistant is assigned for every 100 pilgrims.

On being asked by the committee chairman if the staff going to Saudi Arabia get TA DA, the secretary said the amount paid is the same that was fixed in the ’80s. He also explained that there was a quota for the police and Rescue 1122 officials, while it was open for everyone else.

Last year, 350 Grade-18 officers and 130 personnel from the armed forces were among those deployed. Staff members are sent on service visas and are not permitted to visit Mina or Arafat.

Senator Afnanullah asked how many people from the judiciary, politicians, and bureaucracy went with pilgrims. The secretary replied that all staff members accompanying the pilgrims are government employees from grades 7 to 18.

Senator Mohsin Aziz asked if the staff performed Hajj themselves, how could they provide assistance to pilgrims? He and other members stressed that the deployment should be purely service-oriented.

The PAC has now sought a complete list of government employees from all grades, including police, Rescue 1122, judges, politicians, and bureaucrats, who have been sent to Saudi Arabia for Hajj duties.

On Aug 6, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif levelled serious allegations against Pakistan’s bureaucracy, claiming that more than half of them had purchased properties in Portugal and were preparing to acquire foreign citizenship with money allegedly earned through corruption.

In a post on social media platform X, the minister accused retired bureaucrats of spending billions of rupees and living a luxurious, peaceful retirement abroad, away from any scrutiny.

Asif revealed that a top bureaucrat, known to be close to former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, allegedly received Rs4 billion in “salami” at his daughters’ wedding before settling into a quiet retirement.