Key Takeaways
- Defence Minister Asif advises Interior Minister Naqvi to start governance reforms with his own ministry and the Pakistan Cricket Board.
- Naqvi had called for an overhaul of the country's governance structure during a speech at the Pakistan Economic Summit.
- Asif emphasizes that such changes should be discussed in Parliament or cabinet rather than through public statements.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has reacted to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s call for an overhaul of the country's governance structure, urging him to begin with his own ministry and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Speaking at the Pakistan Economic Summit on Thursday, Naqvi had stated that the governance system in the country had 'collapsed' and needed new administrative units or provinces.
Asif responded through an X post, agreeing with Naqvi's views but suggesting that such changes should be discussed in constitutional forums like Parliament or cabinet sessions.
The defence minister highlighted that Naqvi has been on a powerful position for the past three years and could have initiated reforms during this time.
In his response, Asif also mentioned the remarks made by Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, who urged political parties to consider an administrative reset for improving governance.
Chaudhry recalled that the National Action Plan (NAP) adopted after the 2014 Army Public School attack had also emphasized effective governance as a prerequisite for national security.
Asif further pointed out that Naqvi rarely attended parliamentary and cabinet sessions, suggesting that public statements made to a captive audience lack weight in comparison to constitutional processes.
He called for reforms to be brought about through a constitutional process rather than making big statements to a limited audience.
Mohsin Naqvi’s sahib expressed his views on the dire state of the system. I more or less personally agree with these views.
Khawaja Asif, Defence Minister
If the system has to be strengthened and a fundamental change has to be brought about, its forum is Parliament, of which Naqvi sahib is a member. Or this matter could be discussed in the cabinet.
Khawaja Asif, Defence Minister
