ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has urged Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to begin reforming Pakistan’s governance system through the Interior Ministry, saying meaningful institutional change should be pursued within constitutional and parliamentary frameworks.
In a post on X on Saturday, Asif said he largely agreed with Naqvi’s recent assessment that Pakistan’s governance system had “collapsed” and required fundamental reforms. However, he stressed that such reforms should be initiated through Parliament and the federal cabinet, of which Naqvi is a member.
Asif said strengthening state institutions through constitutional processes would reinforce the country’s governance structure and argued that discussions on institutional reform should take place within state institutions rather than before business forums.
He also noted that Naqvi had held key public offices for the past three-and-a-half years and could have initiated reforms earlier, adding, “Better late than never.”
How Did Other Leaders Respond to Naqvi’s Remarks?
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 points. He maintained that while the armed forces were implementing the point assigned to them through significant sacrifices, the remaining measures under the Interior Ministry still required implementation.
Asif called on Naqvi to begin systemic reforms by ensuring the implementation of the remaining NAP commitments, saying the entire nation would support such efforts.
Separately, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Senator Rana Sanaullah criticised Naqvi’s remarks, defending Pakistan’s parliamentary democratic system.
Speaking at a public gathering in Hattian Bala, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sanaullah said concerns about governance should be addressed through democratic institutions rather than used to undermine the parliamentary framework. He added that those who had benefited from the existing system were now questioning its effectiveness.
Naqvi had stated at the Pakistan Economic Summit in Islamabad last week that Pakistan’s governance system had “collapsed” and warned that without structural administrative reforms, the country would continue facing similar challenges over the next decade.