Interior Minister Rejects Speculation About New Political Setup
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said the current political system will remain in place.
He said the federal government will complete its full constitutional term of five years.
Naqvi made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Geo News on Wednesday.
His statement followed speculation about a possible new governance structure. The debate began after his earlier comments about failures in Pakistan’s administrative system.
Naqvi had previously said the existing system had collapsed. He had also called for major reforms and the creation of new administrative units.
However, he clarified that those remarks were not directed against the current government.
Naqvi said he was referring to weaknesses that had developed over the past 80 years.
He argued that Pakistan would have achieved greater progress if its institutions had functioned effectively over previous decades.
The minister rejected claims that he had presented a charge sheet against the government.
He said he was part of the administration and could not accuse his own government of failure.
Naqvi Calls for Independent Review of Federal Ministries
Naqvi urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order a complete performance review of all federal ministries.
He said the evaluation should be conducted by an independent third party.
The findings should also be released publicly, he added.
According to Naqvi, an independent assessment would identify ministries delivering results.
It would also expose departments failing to meet their responsibilities.
The interior minister said his attendance at federal cabinet meetings was approximately 70 percent.
He also praised the prime minister’s work ethic.
Naqvi said Shehbaz Sharif worked between 14 and 16 hours every day.
He claimed Pakistan could achieve significantly better results if the wider administrative system improved.
The minister highlighted the government’s performance in several areas.
He said Federal Board of Revenue collections had increased.
He also pointed to military and diplomatic achievements under the current administration.
Naqvi argued that these results were achieved despite weaknesses in the national system.
He said the country could have progressed much faster if the government had inherited stronger institutions.
Federal Ministers Challenge Naqvi’s Governance Criticism
Naqvi’s earlier remarks attracted criticism from senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif advised him to begin administrative reforms within the Interior Ministry.
Asif said Naqvi had held some of the country’s most influential positions for around three and a half years.
He argued that the interior minister could have started reforms during that period.
However, the defence minister added that it was better to begin late than never.
Rana Sanaullah also criticised Naqvi’s comments.
He said individuals who had benefited from the existing system were now questioning its ability to function.
Sanaullah argued that some people had achieved rapid political success within the same structure they were now criticising.
He defended Pakistan’s parliamentary democratic system.
He said concerns about governance should be discussed through democratic institutions.
Such concerns should not be used to weaken the parliamentary order, he added.
Naqvi also dismissed reports of differences with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He said some individuals wanted to damage their relationship, but those efforts would not succeed.
