Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi has advised Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to stop “crying” over corruption allegations and instead take decisive action if he has evidence against bureaucrats or politicians.

‘Take action, don’t accuse from within govt’

Speaking to the media in Faisalabad on Saturday, Abbasi criticised Asif for making public statements about corruption while serving as part of the government.

“Don’t accuse the government while sitting in the government,” Abbasi remarked, stressing that someone in a position of authority should act, not complain.

Authority comes with responsibility

The minister noted that “a person cries when he has no authority,” adding that Asif, as defence minister, has the power to address wrongdoing directly.

Abbasi further stated that any bureaucrat or politician found guilty of corruption should be held accountable. “If anyone commits corruption in the railways, I will take action instead of crying,” he said.

Call for accountability across the board

Abbasi emphasised that accountability should be applied without discrimination, and urged government officials to use their positions to initiate investigations and enforce the law rather than making unverified claims in public forums.

On Aug 6, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif levelled serious allegations against Pakistan’s bureaucracy, claiming that more than half of them have purchased properties in Portugal and are 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 did not mince his words. He revealed that a top bureaucrat, known to be close to former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, allegedly received Rs4 billion in "salami" -- a traditional form of gift -- at his daughters’ wedding, before settling into a quiet retirement.

“These were once powerful, well-known officers,” Asif wrote, “and now they’re spending their lives comfortably, far from the consequences of their corruption.”

‘Politicians eat leftovers and still get blamed'

Contrasting the conduct of politicians with bureaucrats, the defence minister said that elected representatives are forced to remain connected to the public, contest elections, and therefore do not enjoy the luxury of buying foreign property or acquiring second passports.

“Politicians neither get plots nor citizenship abroad. They spend their lives contesting elections and facing the people,” Asif said. “It is the bureaucrats who eat the real meat, and politicians only get what’s left—and yet they’re blamed for everything.”

'This bureaucracy is polluting the land of Pakistan'

In his sharpest critique, Asif said the bureaucracy has become a plague on Pakistan’s soil, accusing it of being the root cause of systemic corruption.

“These people, after looting public wealth, are now abandoning the country,” he alleged. “They’ve polluted our land, and now they’re seeking refuge in places like Portugal.”