Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has urged Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to begin efforts to reform Pakistan’s governance system by ensuring the effective implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) and improving the performance of the Interior Ministry.
Responding to Mohsin Naqvi’s recent remarks about weaknesses in the country’s governance system, Khawaja Asif said he largely agreed with the interior minister’s concerns. However, he emphasized that meaningful reforms should be introduced through constitutional institutions, particularly Parliament and the Federal Cabinet.
In a statement shared on social media, Khawaja Asif said that discussions on major institutional reforms would be more effective if presented before Parliament, which he described as the appropriate platform for strengthening democratic institutions and introducing long-term constitutional changes.
The defence minister described Mohsin Naqvi as one of the most influential figures in the government and encouraged him to translate his views into practical action. He said the reform process should begin within the Interior Ministry by implementing the National Action Plan and improving institutional performance.
Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan’s current governance system has evolved over decades under the influence of political and personal interests, weakening state institutions. He stressed that the country now requires stronger, more independent institutions capable of delivering effective governance without political interference.
He further argued that discussions on national reforms should remain within constitutional forums, including Parliament and cabinet meetings, where decisions carry legal and institutional legitimacy. According to him, debates outside these platforms are less likely to produce lasting reforms.
Referring to the National Action Plan, Khawaja Asif noted that many of the responsibilities assigned to the armed forces have been implemented through significant sacrifices. However, he claimed that several points falling under the jurisdiction of the Interior Ministry still require substantial progress.
The defence minister called on Mohsin Naqvi to demonstrate leadership by prioritizing the implementation of pending National Action Plan objectives. He said that improving governance should begin with ministries fulfilling their existing constitutional responsibilities before proposing broader systemic changes.
Khawaja Asif also expressed confidence that meaningful reforms would receive support not only from the business community but also from the wider public, provided they are implemented transparently and through established constitutional mechanisms.
He concluded that genuine institutional reform requires practical action, cooperation among state institutions, and sustained commitment to strengthening governance rather than relying solely on public statements.
