Controversial Statements of Pakistan’s Interior Minister; “Collapsed System”/Defense Minister: Naqvi Not Accountable to Prime Minister either

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: Syed Mohsin Naqvi recently said at a “Pakistan Economy” meeting that the existing system in the country is “collapsed” and without “resetting” the administrative structure, the country will continue to struggle with the same problems for another ten years. He considered the creation of new administrative units or more provinces in Pakistan as a solution and warned that the country’s young generation wants “justice, competence, and job opportunities,” not meager subsidies.

 

Pakistan Defense Minister: “If Naqvi Complains, Others Should Go Home”

In response to these remarks, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif wrote on the social media platform X that he personally agrees with Naqvi’s view on the state of the system, but stressed that any change should be pursued through “parliament and cabinet” and in accordance with the “constitutional process.” Referring to Naqvi as “the most powerful minister in the Pakistani government” and in some cases not even accountable to the prime minister, Asif said: “If someone with such authority and influence complains, the rest of the cabinet should quit and go home.”

 

The Pakistani Defense Minister asked Naqvi to start the change by implementing the “National Action Plan” (NAP), 12 of which are the responsibility of the interior ministry. Asif added: “Mr. Naqvi, start the change of the system by implementing the National Action Plan and from your own ministry. Not only the business community, but the entire nation is with you.”

 

Widespread reactions; From accusations of "illegality" to plans to overthrow the Pakistani government

Along with the Pakistani Defense Minister, other political figures also fueled this controversy. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stated bluntly that "the fall of the government has become inevitable." Former Pakistani Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique also described the political system as "on the verge of collapse."

 

In contrast, Pakistani Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal rejected these predictions, calling Pakistan's political system "very powerful" and calling on critics to resign from their positions.

 

Meanwhile, the Pakistani army spokesman, referring to the National Action Plan, emphasized the need to review the governance structure and said that "the security and stability of the country depend on adapting the governance system to the needs of the time."

 

Analysts believe that the statements of Naqvi, who is considered a figure close to the army, were actually "a message from the military establishment to the government." However, the ruling Muslim League (Nawaz) party has not officially responded to these statements, and its ally, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has opposed the plan to create new provinces.

 

It is worth noting that Pakistan is also in a difficult economic situation, in addition to insecurity in the two provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Inflation and price increases, along with the skyrocketing price of oil and the collapse of the national currency, are among the most important challenges in Pakistan.