Naqvi: ‘Cockroach’ youth can overturn system

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called for the creation of new administrative units and provinces,

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called for the creation of new administrative units and provinces, saying Pakistan’s current governance system has failed and requires fundamental reforms to meet the country’s future needs.

Speaking at Pakistan’s first Economic Summit in Islamabad, Naqvi said the existing administrative structure could no longer effectively address the country’s growing challenges. He stressed that establishing new administrative units was essential for improving governance and ensuring sustainable development.

“The system we are living under has collapsed,” he said. “New administrative units or provinces are the only way forward.”

Naqvi said Pakistan would continue facing the same problems even a decade from now unless major structural reforms were introduced. He urged policymakers to focus on fixing the country’s basic governance framework instead of relying on temporary solutions.

The interior minister also highlighted the concerns of Pakistan’s youth. He said young people are no longer satisfied with receiving laptops, scholarships or financial assistance alone. Instead, they want employment opportunities based on merit and a transparent system that guarantees fairness.

He warned that growing frustration among young people should not be ignored. Referring to the younger generation, he said if they unite, they could bring significant political and social change.

Naqvi also pointed to Pakistan’s financial challenges, saying the country continues to rely heavily on borrowing while its debt burden keeps increasing. He argued that meaningful economic improvement would remain difficult unless the overall governance system was reset.

He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s commitment to work, saying the prime minister spends long hours addressing national issues. However, he added that even working 18 hours a day would not be enough if the country’s underlying system remained unchanged.

The interior minister said political parties must set aside their differences and work together to introduce reforms. He urged all major stakeholders, including the government and opposition, to sit together and develop a long-term national strategy.

Later, while speaking informally with journalists, Naqvi said the country’s institutions and political leadership must improve the system if Pakistan is to achieve lasting progress. He said the efforts of the military leadership alone would not be sufficient without governance reforms.

He also said all political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), should participate in efforts to improve the country’s governance structure.

Responding to a question about the PTI founder, Naqvi said the matter would be decided by the courts. He also dismissed speculation about becoming foreign minister, saying he would continue serving as interior minister.