ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called for an independent third-party evaluation of all federal ministries, saying their performance should be assessed transparently and the findings made public, while firmly rejecting speculation about differences with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif or the government's future.
In an exclusive interview with Dunya News, Naqvi said he was fully accountable to the prime minister for his performance and had no objection to an independent assessment of his own ministry.
His latest remarks came days after he endorsed Dunya Group Chairman Mian Amer Mahmood's proposal at the Economic Summit 2026 for creating new administrative units and devolving powers to improve governance, arguing that Pakistan's decades-old system requires structural reforms to meet modern administrative and economic challenges.
Third-party audit
Responding to criticism of his own performance, Naqvi said the most appropriate way to assess ministers was through an impartial review rather than political debate.
"I am accountable to the prime minister for my performance," he said. "I request the prime minister to arrange a third-party evaluation of every ministry. The results should be made public so everyone can see how each ministry has performed."
He also dismissed criticism over his cabinet attendance, saying his participation rate was around 70 percent and reiterating that he would welcome an independent audit of the Ministry of Interior.
Naqvi said the same standard should apply across the federal cabinet to ensure transparency and objective performance measurement.
The interior minister also reaffirmed remarks he made earlier this week about Pakistan's governance structure, insisting that he stood by his assessment that the country had been operating under a flawed system for the past 80 years.
"I still believe the system that has existed for the last 80 years is broken," he said, adding that Pakistan would have achieved far greater progress had the system functioned effectively.
However, Naqvi rejected suggestions that his comments were aimed at criticising the current administration.
"I am part of this government, so why would I issue a charge sheet against my own government?" he said.
He explained that his criticism was directed at the long-standing governance framework rather than the incumbent administration.
Praise for PM
Naqvi praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's leadership, saying the premier works 14 to 16 hours every day despite challenging circumstances.
He said the government had achieved notable progress, including higher revenue collection and reforms within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
According to Naqvi, if the country's governance system were improved, the prime minister's efforts could produce results "a thousand times better".
He also dismissed speculation of any disagreement with the prime minister, saying some elements wanted to create the impression that relations between them had deteriorated.
Naqvi maintained that he remained accountable to the prime minister and continued to meet him regularly.
Addressing rumours regarding the government's future, Naqvi said the coalition would complete its constitutional tenure.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would remain in office for the full five-year term and rejected speculation about any change in leadership.
"This government is not going anywhere," he said, adding that attempts to create uncertainty would not succeed.
Call for reforms
Naqvi also reiterated the need for broader structural reforms, a position he outlined during the Economic Summit 2026. At the summit, he supported Mian Amer Mahmood's proposal to create new administrative units, arguing that Pakistan's governance model should be restructured to bring decision-making, justice and public services closer to citizens.
He had said that meaningful decentralisation, whether through new provinces or other administrative arrangements, was essential for improving governance, strengthening institutions and unlocking the country's economic potential.
Concluding the interview, Naqvi said objective performance assessments and long-term institutional reforms were both necessary to improve governance, adding that transparent accountability would allow the public to judge the effectiveness of each ministry on the basis of measurable results rather than political narratives.