DPO Hafizabad's Luxury Office looks better than Most Pakistani Hotels - But who paid for it?

ISLAMABAD – A viral clip showing the extravagant office of District Police Officer (DPO) Hafizabad triggered a wave of public anger and debate over government spending priorities in an economically strained Pakistan.

The video is being shared on TikTok and other social media platforms, showing high-end office setup more akin to a five-star hotel than a public service institution. Viewers were stunned to see luxurious décor, an ornate ceiling design, oversized sofas, and a full-sized LED TV all reportedly housed in the office of a senior police official.

As the video and pictures gained traction online, social media users took to social media to criticize what they perceive as misuse of public funds at a time when the country is grappling with record inflation, rising unemployment, and strict IMF loan conditions. Many questioned how such lavish spending could be justified when essential services remain underfunded and ordinary citizens are struggling to afford basic necessities.

DPO Hafizabad Office

If you want to know why you have to pay 38.15% tax on your salary and 18% sales tax on every packet of milk or tin of oil you buy for your family, please see below the office of a district police officer your taxes have paid for. pic.twitter.com/PaWi7YXp30

— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) July 17, 2025

Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail was among those who strongly condemned the display of wealth. In a sharply worded post on social media, Ismail asked, “Want to know where your taxes go? This is the office of a District Police Officer your taxes have paid for.”

Miftah highlighted disproportionate tax burden on working-class citizens, who are subject to 38.15% income tax and 18% General Sales Tax (GST) on everyday items like milk and cooking oil.

The outrage has sparked broader discussions about transparency in public spending, especially in law enforcement institutions. Critics argue that the display of opulence by a public servant is not only unethical but deeply insensitive to the economic hardships being faced by millions of Pakistanis.