Naqvi pitches referendum on new provinces

Minister dismisses impression govt ceding political space to PTI

LAHORE:

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday renewed his call for a referendum on the creation of new provinces, saying the people should have the final say on the matter, while making it clear that no such initiative would move forward without the consent of all allied parties in the ruling coalition.

In a broader discussion on the country's political and administrative landscape, Naqvi also acknowledged that corruption remained prevalent across the country, saying it would be wrong to deny the reality.

Seemingly coming to the rescue of Federal Minister Chaudhary Salik Hussain, he maintained that wrongdoing should be highlighted and those responsible held accountable, regardless of where it occurred.

He also dismissed the impression that the government was ceding political space to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), adding that the recent meeting between party founder Imran Khan and his lawyers as a routine exercise conducted in compliance with court orders.

Naqvi, who is widely seen as the establishment's point person in the federal cabinet, was speaking to a select group of journalists, who are granted exclusive access to his press conferences and the opportunity to ask questions, in Lahore.

He acknowledged that despite the strict oversight exercised by him and Talal Chaudhry, corruption continued to surface in his department, prompting action against those involved.

He said it was the government's responsibility to expose corruption backed by evidence and pursue those responsible.

Responding to a question about the proposed creation of new provinces and concerns within the PML-N that the idea could form part of a broader political arrangement, Naqvi said every political party had the right to adopt its own position on the matter.

However, he reiterated that a referendum was the appropriate way forward and that whatever decision the people reached should be respected.

He also cited surveys suggesting public support for the creation of new provinces, arguing that the people should have the final say. Naqvi said all political parties, including the PPP, PML-N and other coalition partners, were important stakeholders and no decision would be taken without bringing them on board.

Referring to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's call for a political reset and his own emphasis on the need for an overall reset, Naqvi said the two were broadly on the same page.

The interior minister also rejected speculation that the recent meeting between Imran Khan and his lawyers, which was allowed after a considerable period despite earlier restrictions, signalled a change in the government's approach towards the PTI. The meeting had also fuelled speculation that the party might be reconsidering its position on the proposed creation of new provinces.

Dismissing such reports as baseless, Naqvi said the meeting had been facilitated in accordance with court orders and the law. "Nothing has changed (on the PTI front)," he maintained.

Regarding the notices issued to Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman over alleged encroachments at his residence, Naqvi said notices had already been issued to between 5,000 and 6,000 people before the matter involving the JUI-F chief came to light. He said encroachments were a major problem in Islamabad that needed to be addressed.

Naqvi was speaking at a press conference convened to announce the computerisation of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency's (NCCIA) complaint system. During the briefing, he also highlighted the agency's shortage of staff.