Attaullah Tarar denies reports of Khawaja Asif’s resignation

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has dismissed social media rumours regarding the resignation of Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

During an interview, Tarar labelled the reports as “completely baseless and fabricated,” stating there is no truth to the claims circulating online.

The denial comes hours after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made a critical statement about Pakistan’s bureaucracy. In a post on X , he alleged that over half of the country’s senior bureaucrats have purchased property in Portugal and are actively seeking foreign citizenship.

“These crocodiles have eaten billions of rupees and are now living a comfortable retired life,” he wrote.

Also check: Khawaja Asif says bureaucrats acquiring property, citizenship in Portugal

Meanwhile, reports have also surfaced online claiming that the current Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Muhammad Iqbal in Sialkot, has been arrested on charges of large-scale corruption.

Iqbal, who previously served as a returning officer during the general and by-elections, is alleged to have close ties with Khawaja Asif.

Sources suggest the Defence Minister may have been displeased with the arrest, fearing the disclosure of sensitive financial details that could be linked to him. Speculations also suggest that Asif’s recent criticism of the bureaucracy may have been triggered by this development.

However, no official statement has been made by the Defence Minister on these specific allegations.