New provinces can only be created through political consensus, says Mohsin Naqvi

LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that the creation of new provinces in Pakistan would require agreement among all stakeholders stressing that no decision should be taken without political consensus.

LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that the creation of new provinces in Pakistan would require agreement among all stakeholders stressing that no decision should be taken without political consensus.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said political parties held different positions on the issue and that their views needed to be considered before moving forward.

He suggested that seeking public opinion would be the most appropriate way to determine the matter. He added that if another workable solution was available, it should also be presented to the people whose wishes would ultimately guide the decision.

The interior minister said he and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari shared similar views on the need for a broader political reset in the country.

He described all political parties including the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as important stakeholders adding that the government wanted to maintain cooperation across the political spectrum.

Naqvi maintained that national decisions should not emerge from disagreements and called for collective efforts to address the country’s challenges.

Corruption and political cooperation

Discussing corruption, the interior minister said the problem existed across the country and that eliminating it was a shared responsibility.

He emphasised the importance of cooperation among political parties, saying the government needed to work with all stakeholders rather than allow political differences to obstruct national progress.

Comments on Imran Khan and his family

Responding to a question about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his family, Naqvi said rumours had been circulating over the past couple of days about possible developments.

He stated that Imran Khan would receive whatever legal rights were available to him and whatever relief the courts granted. Apart from those legal entitlements and judicial decisions, he said there had been no change in the situation.