Defence Minister Khawaja Asif referred to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi as the ‘most powerful minister’ within the federal government, asserting that in various matters, Naqvi is not even accountable to the prime minister.
During a television interview, Asif remarked that Naqvi, while holding the position of interior minister, does not seem to be fully engaged in the cabinet system. He noted that he had observed Naqvi participating in only two or three cabinet meetings.
The defence minister further mentioned that Naqvi had only attended Parliament a few times, adding that if the interior minister himself is voicing concerns about the current system, “then perhaps we should all go home.”
Asif’s comments were a reaction to Naqvi’s recent statements indicating that Pakistan’s governance framework has weakened to the point where it struggles to tackle the nation’s challenges. The interior minister cautioned that if the current structure remains unchanged, the country might still be grappling with the same issues a decade from now.
Naqvi also contended that establishing new administrative units or provinces has become crucial for enhancing governance and ensuring the long-term development of the country, asserting that the existing system has surpassed its effectiveness.