ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has urged Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to initiate reforms within the Interior Ministry, saying the entire nation would support meaningful efforts to improve Pakistan’s governance system.
The remarks came in response to Naqvi’s recent statement that the country’s existing governance structure had “collapsed” and was no longer capable of addressing Pakistan’s challenges.
Asif backs concerns but calls for constitutional process
In a post on X on Saturday, Khawaja Asif said he largely agreed with Mohsin Naqvi’s assessment of the country’s governance issues.
However, he stressed that institutional reforms should be carried out through parliament and the federal cabinet, noting that Naqvi is a member of both forums.
According to Asif, strengthening state institutions through constitutional and democratic processes would lead to more durable reforms.
‘Start with the Interior Ministry’
The defence minister said Naqvi should begin the reform process within the ministry under his control.
He also noted that Naqvi had held several influential public offices over the past three-and-a-half years and could have initiated reforms during that period.
“Better late than never,” Asif remarked, while encouraging the interior minister to move forward with practical steps.
Mohsin Naqvi calls for new administrative units, says current system has ‘collapsed’
Calls for implementation of National Action Plan
Referring to the National Action Plan (NAP), Asif said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry had recently highlighted its 13 key points.
He said the armed forces were implementing the responsibilities assigned to them through significant sacrifices, while the remaining points largely fell under the Interior Ministry.
Asif urged Naqvi to prioritise implementation of the National Action Plan as part of broader institutional reforms.
Rana Sanaullah defends parliamentary system
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah also responded to Naqvi’s remarks.
Addressing a public gathering in Hattian Bala, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sanaullah defended Pakistan’s parliamentary democratic system and argued that any concerns regarding governance should be discussed through democratic institutions rather than used to question the parliamentary framework.
He also said those who had benefited from the current system were now criticising it after attaining prominent positions.
