Khawaja Asif Accuses Interior Minister of Being Beyond Accountability

DID Press: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi wields such significant influence that he is, in some matters, not even accountable to the prime minister.

Speaking to a private television channel, Asif criticized Naqvi’s limited participation in cabinet and parliamentary sessions, describing the situation as a sign of serious weaknesses in Pakistan’s governance structure.

The defence minister said Naqvi, despite holding the interior ministry portfolio, has had limited involvement in government proceedings and attended only two or three cabinet meetings during his tenure. He added that Naqvi’s presence in parliament has also been rare, with only around seven or eight appearances.

“If someone with such authority and influence still raises complaints, then other cabinet members should leave their positions and go home,” Asif said, criticizing what he described as an imbalance in administrative responsibility.

The remarks come after Naqvi had previously criticized Pakistan’s governance system, warning that without structural reforms, the country could continue facing the same challenges for years. He has argued that administrative reforms, including the possible creation of new administrative units or provinces, may be necessary to improve efficiency and address institutional problems.