Govt will complete tenure, Shehbaz to remain PM for five years: Naqvi

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated on Wednesday that the current government would complete its five-year constitutional term, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif retaining his position throughout. Naqvi made these remarks while addressing the media outside the Interior Ministry in Islamabad, following his previous claims that Pakistan's governance system had "collapsed" and suggesting the creation of new administrative units or provinces to improve service delivery, accountability and access to justice.

The military's spokesperson echoed Naqvi's call for an administrative reset, emphasizing that Pakistan's security and stability depend on adapting its governance structure to modern needs and a growing population. "The future for the government is the completion of its five-year tenure … Shehbaz sahib will remain the prime minister for five years … the prime minister will complete his five-year term," Naqvi affirmed.

When questioned about his earlier remarks being a "charge sheet" against the government, Naqvi reaffirmed his stance, asserting that the country's 80-year-old administrative system is "destroyed" and could have propelled Pakistan to new heights. He clarified that he did not personally "charge-sheet" the government, stating that he too is part of the same administration.

Naqvi highlighted the accomplishments of the prime minister and the incumbent government, including the surge in the Federal Board of Revenue's revenue, Pakistan's victory in a war against India, enhanced diplomatic standing worldwide, and numerous reforms introduced. Nevertheless, Naqvi opined that the prime minister could have taken the country forward a hundredfold if he had operated within a superior system.