Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi dismissed any rumors of conflict with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stating that those hoping to find a rift between them would be disappointed.
He mentioned that a decision will soon be made regarding a crackdown on illegal Afghan residents. He also announced that Necta, the National Counter Terrorism Authority, will be fully operational. Naqvi acknowledged that people have been experiencing delays of up to five months to get their passports.
“I know there’s a problem with passport delays, and I will fix it soon. I respect the sanctity of the home,” he told reporters. He also addressed accusations from opposition parties that he ordered police to mistreat women at home when he was the caretaker chief minister, denying such claims.
Providing an update on the security of Chinese residents in Pakistan, he noted that efforts to improve their security are now underway. Regarding his relationship with Prime Minister Sharif, Naqvi said they have known each other for 25 years, describing their relationship as brotherly and based on respect. “Our bond is strong and will stay that way,” he emphasized.
Regarding the visa policy for Sikhs, Naqvi said he supports an independent visa policy and wants to make it easier for Sikhs to obtain Pakistani visas. He suggested offering visas on arrival in Pakistan to Sikhs, with a plan to start with countries other than India and then extend the facility to Indian Sikh citizens.
Additionally, Naqvi clarified that if he had to choose between his role in the Interior Ministry and a position in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), he would choose the PCB. He shared these thoughts during a visit to the Islamabad Police Facilitation Centre, where he discussed plans to keep the center open 24 hours.
