ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has criticised Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent remarks on creating new administrative units, saying the comments “made no sense” and stressing that Pakistan’s Constitution already provides a mechanism for such reforms.
Speaking to Geo News, Sanaullah said Naqvi’s comments reflected his personal opinion and that it was up to the interior minister to clarify what he intended to convey.
‘Could not understand what he meant’
Sanaullah said he had listened to Naqvi’s speech but remained unclear about its purpose.
“It is for Mohsin Naqvi to take responsibility for what he intended to say through his remarks.”
He added that Naqvi appeared to be making a broader point but failed to express it clearly.
“I still do not understand what he was saying or why he said it.”
Constitution already provides a mechanism
The PML-N leader stressed that the Constitution clearly defines the process for creating new provinces or administrative units.
He said the issue should first be debated in parliament before any decision is taken.
According to Sanaullah, establishing new provinces requires constitutional procedures and cannot be achieved merely through public discussion.
Khawaja Asif asks Mohsin Naqvi to begin reforms through Interior Ministry
PML-N previously supported new provinces
Recalling the PML-N government’s tenure in Punjab between 2013 and 2018, Sanaullah said the party had already initiated efforts on the issue.
He said he personally moved resolutions for establishing a commission and creating two new provinces in Punjab.
According to Sanaullah, a national commission would be required to examine key issues, including:
- Financial arrangements
- Administrative structure
- Representation in the National Assembly
- Provincial assembly seats
- Senate representation
He described the matter as complex and said broad political consensus would be necessary before any reforms could move forward.
Pakistan needs political consensus
Sanaullah said Pakistan could adopt smaller provinces, a stronger local government system, or a combination of both, but maintained that such decisions must be taken collectively by political parties through constitutional processes.
He also questioned why Naqvi linked the governance debate with his remarks about the prime minister working 18 hours a day, saying the connection was difficult to understand.
Khawaja Asif also criticises Naqvi
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking on Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan, described Naqvi as the “most powerful minister” in the federal cabinet.
Asif claimed that Naqvi was not answerable to the prime minister in several matters and had attended only a handful of cabinet meetings and parliamentary sessions since taking office.
Commenting on Naqvi’s criticism of the governance system, Asif remarked:
“If the interior minister himself is complaining, then we should simply go home.”
The controversy began after Mohsin Naqvi, addressing the Pakistan Economic Summit on July 30, said Pakistan’s existing governance system had “collapsed” and called for fundamental administrative reforms, including the creation of new administrative units.
He warned that without structural reforms, Pakistan would continue facing the same governance challenges over the next decade.
