ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made a significant announcement on Wednesday, revealing the decision to close the narcotics control ministry office and merge its functions with the interior ministry.
Taking to X, previously known as Twitter, the minister, who also serves as the PCB chief, shared his plans, stating:
“We have decided to close the Narcotics Control ministry office and integrated its operations into the Interior Ministry. Streamlining operations, saving resources, and eliminating unnecessary burden on National exchequer.”
Earlier in the day, Naqvi visited the Ministry of Anti-Narcotics, where he declared his intention not to utilize his office in the ministry, citing redundancy in maintaining offices across two ministries and the resulting waste of resources.
He directed his personal staff to be reassigned to other departments within the ministry of narcotics control.
Emphasizing the importance of drug eradication for securing future generations, Naqvi stressed the government’s commitment to utilizing all available resources toward this goal, following a special briefing on the affairs of the Ministry of Anti-Narcotics.
Meanwhile, Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has officially announced his candidacy for the upcoming Senate elections in Punjab scheduled for next month. In an interview, Naqvi expressed his intention to be a candidate for all constituents in the Senate, clarifying that he has yet to finalize his political affiliation.
Responding to previous speculations surrounding his potential role in the Ministry of Interior, the former Punjab caretaker chief minister revealed that discussions are ongoing, and no decisions have been reached. Despite meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President-elect Asif Ali Zardari, Naqvi remains uncertain about his future political identity.
The announcement of Naqvi’s Senate bid has triggered strong opposition from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), particularly from Asad Qasier, a senior leader who categorically ruled out any possibility of reconciliation if Naqvi were to assume a position in the interior ministry.
Earlier reports had suggested Naqvi’s consideration for the role of adviser to the prime minister on interior affairs, with Rana Mehmoodul Hassan emerging as the proposed Senate candidate from Punjab. Sources indicated that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), a pivotal figure in the coalition, insisted on Naqvi’s unopposed election as a senator, laying down a condition for the leadership of the alliance parties.
Currently serving as the PCB chairman, Naqvi assumed the position by unanimous election, replacing Zaka Ashraf for the next three years. However, this appointment faces a legal challenge in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where a petition questions the caretaker prime minister’s authority in appointing the chief of the cricketing body. The court has reserved its verdict on the matter.
