Interior Minister Demands Major Structural Reforms
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called for sweeping administrative reforms to address Pakistan’s long-standing governance challenges.
Speaking at the Pakistan Economic Summit in Islamabad, Naqvi said the existing system was no longer capable of solving national problems.
He warned that Pakistan could continue facing the same economic, political and administrative difficulties for another decade without fundamental reforms.
Naqvi said hard work by individual leaders would not produce lasting results unless institutions and governance structures were improved.
He maintained that the country must address its basic structural weaknesses instead of relying on temporary measures.
The interior minister said the government often remained focused on immediate crises. However, this approach did not provide permanent solutions.
He acknowledged that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif worked between 12 and 14 hours daily. Still, he said longer working hours would amount only to crisis management without institutional change.
New Administrative Units Proposed for Better Governance
Naqvi proposed creating smaller administrative units to improve governance and accelerate development.
He said these units could be called provinces or given another administrative title.
The main objective should be to transfer authority closer to local communities and improve public service delivery.
Naqvi argued that powers must be devolved to lower administrative levels.
He said large provinces faced difficulties in managing growing populations, public services and development needs.
Dividing provinces on administrative grounds could improve decision-making, accountability and access to government institutions, he added.
The minister said he strongly supported democracy. However, he noted that democratic systems could operate through different administrative models.
Naqvi also rejected speculation about replacing the parliamentary structure with a presidential system.
He said the current government would complete its constitutional term.
Merit-Based Jobs and Economic Reforms Needed
The interior minister said young people wanted fair employment opportunities rather than temporary financial support.
He stressed that recruitment should be based on merit and transparent procedures.
According to Naqvi, creating jobs through a fair system would strengthen public confidence and reduce frustration among young citizens.
He also warned that Pakistan’s rising debt burden required immediate attention.
Continued borrowing without economic and institutional reforms would increase pressure on the country, he said.
Naqvi urged the business community to take a more active role in economic policymaking.
He said sustainable economic progress was not possible without cooperation between the government and private sector.
Business leaders could provide practical recommendations for investment, taxation, trade and industrial growth, he added.
Political Parties Urged to Cooperate
Speaking informally to journalists later, Naqvi said politicians must work together to reform the governance system.
He said the efforts of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir would not produce lasting benefits unless political leaders addressed institutional weaknesses.
Naqvi stated that the military leadership had repeatedly supported the continuation of democracy.
He urged all major political parties to participate in reform efforts.
The minister said cooperation should not remain limited to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan Peoples Party.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf should also join discussions aimed at improving the system, he added.
Naqvi called on political leaders to set aside personal and party differences in the national interest.
He clarified that the existing structure was not entirely defective. However, it required comprehensive changes to deliver sustainable results.
Responding to questions about his position, Naqvi said he would continue serving as interior minister.
He dismissed reports suggesting that he could be transferred to the foreign affairs portfolio.
Commenting on former prime minister Imran Khan’s legal cases, Naqvi said the courts would decide the matters.
