Latest news with #Gulf-EU
News18
06-08-2025
- Business
- News18
'Half Of Pakistan's Bureaucracy Preparing Foreign Exit Via Portugal': Defence Minister's Explosive Claims
Khawaja Asif alleged that over half of Pakistan's bureaucratic elite have purchased property in Portugal using what he called 'black money' Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif, in a shocking revelation, has publicly accused the country's top bureaucrats of massive corruption and international money laundering, claiming that billions of dollars in illicit wealth have been moved from Pakistan to Portugal. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Asif alleged that over half of Pakistan's bureaucratic elite have purchased property in Portugal using what he called 'black money", with many seeking residency or citizenship in the European nation as part of a quiet exit strategy. Asif further said politicians are treated unfairly. 'Politicians only get what is left over by them (bureaucrats) and still get blamed for everything," he said, adding that most politicians do not own plots or foreign citizenship because they have to face the public and contest elections. He further alleged that one senior bureaucrat, reportedly close to former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, received a staggering Rs 4 billion in 'salami' (ceremonial gifts) at his daughter's wedding—a symbol, he said, of the unchecked and lavish lifestyles financed through corruption. 'This is a serious loophole that FATF mechanisms failed to audit rigorously. Portugal was deliberately picked as a low-risk FATF blind spot, bypassing stricter jurisdictions like the UK or UAE which are now under increased scrutiny. This confession is designed to shift global watchdog attention from military-political corruption to civil bureaucratic sectors," they said, adding that it was an attempt to protect ISI and senior army officials from immediate sanctions. 'This is a systemic laundering via Gulf-EU laundering corridors, possible due to FATF's inadequate scrutiny of complex intercontinental real estate chains," they said. Corruption in Pakistan is a long-standing and deeply rooted issue that affects nearly every sector of governance, from the political elite and bureaucracy to the judiciary and law enforcement. It has been a major barrier to the country's development, weakening institutions, draining public resources, and eroding public trust. While politicians have been widely accused of misusing public funds, accepting kickbacks, and owning undeclared foreign assets, civil servants are often accused of taking bribes for routine administrative tasks, such as issuing licenses or clearing government projects. view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 15:12 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Kuwait Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
EU-Kuwait ties ‘outstanding'
KUWAIT: The Assistant Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Sadiq Marafi, praised Kuwait's strong relationship with the European Union, describing the ties as 'outstanding.' On the sidelines of the Europe Day celebration held on Tuesday, Marafi emphasized the depth of cooperation in a range of sectors, highlighting recent milestones in Gulf-EU cooperation, notably the first GCC-EU summit in Brussels last October and Kuwait's upcoming hosting of the 29th ministerial meeting between the two blocs this October. He expressed optimism for a bilateral economic agreement, particularly a free trade deal, described as a gateway to 'new horizons' in economic and strategic cooperation. For her part, the EU Ambassador to Kuwait, Anne Koistinen, reflected on Europe's transformation since the 1950 Schuman Declaration, saying 'After being the battleground for two world wars, we learned that cooperation and interconnected societies are the only path to lasting peace, prosperity, and progress.' EU Ambassador to Kuwait, Anne Koistinen The EU ambassador underscored the EU's commitment to promoting a rules-based global order amid growing geopolitical tensions, condemning the resurgence of violence in Gaza, calling for a return to the ceasefire and urging humanitarian access. On Ukraine, she reaffirmed the EU's goal of securing a 'comprehensive, just and lasting peace' in accordance with the UN Charter, and praised Kuwait's principled support for Ukraine's sovereignty. The ambassador also noted Kuwait's pivotal role as GCC President in advancing strategic EU-GCC ties, announcing that the 9th EU-GCC Business Forum will also be held in Kuwait later this year. The ambassador stated that the EU's move to simplify Schengen visa procedures for Kuwaitis in 2023, saying 'Achieving visa-free travel for Kuwaiti citizens remains one of my key goals.' 'Our cooperation spans vital areas like trade, infrastructure, energy, security, humanitarian aid and cultural exchange,' she said, highlighting the cultural and people-to-people ties, celebrating Kuwait's designation as Arab Capital of Culture. The ambassador called to further deepen the longstanding partnership between Kuwait and the European Union, as both sides prepare to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.
