Minister says hybrid system aims to address past mistakes as debate over governance reforms intensifies after Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday said there were no indications that the current political system was nearing its end, describing the existing “hybrid system” as an opportunity to address mistakes made in the past.
Speaking on Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Sath,” Asif said the present system would continue and its purpose was to improve governance and resolve national challenges.
“I do not think that the present system will come to an end. The objective of the hybrid system is to correct mistakes committed in the past,” he said.
The defence minister said resolving Pakistan’s challenges required coordination among key national stakeholders, suggesting that senior political and state figures should discuss future steps.
“President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the field marshal [Asim Munir] and four to five other big personalities need to sit to decide what to do,” he added.
Why did Khawaja Asif comment on the governance debate?
Asif’s remarks came in response to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s recent comments that the country’s existing governance structure had failed to address major challenges and required administrative reforms.
Speaking at the Pakistan Economic Summit in Islamabad on July 30, Naqvi said the current system was unable to resolve national issues and called for fundamental reforms, including possible creation of new administrative units or provinces.
“The system we are living under has collapsed. Problems cannot be solved through it,” Naqvi had said.
He warned that Pakistan could continue facing similar challenges over the next decade if major reforms were not introduced.
What did ISPR say about governance and security?
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry later stressed the importance of good governance, saying it was essential for Pakistan’s security.
“Good governance is essential for Pakistan’s security. If the issues are not being resolved, it means that something should be done for good governance,” he said during a press briefing.
Responding to the issue, Asif said there was a distinction between Naqvi’s remarks and the ISPR spokesperson’s statement, arguing that the interior minister’s comments reflected his personal political views.
He said he agreed with the ISPR DG’s position that Naqvi’s statement represented his personal opinion, adding that Naqvi had been part of the current system for more than three years.