Lahore (The COW News Digital) Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that new provinces in Pakistan will only be created if all political stakeholders agree, stressing that no changes will be made without a broader consensus.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) office in Lahore, Naqvi said the views of all political parties must be considered before any decision is taken regarding the creation of new provinces.
He described public opinion as the most appropriate way to resolve the issue, suggesting that the people should be consulted through an appropriate process before moving forward.
Naqvi said that if there was a better alternative to seeking public opinion, that option could also be considered, provided the people were given the opportunity to express their views.
He added that if the public opposed the creation of additional provinces, he would support their decision.
The interior minister acknowledged that different political parties held their own positions on the issue. He specifically mentioned the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), saying that all political groups were important stakeholders.
Naqvi emphasised that the government and its political allies were working together and that any decision on the provincial question would be reached through mutual agreement rather than political disagreement.
“If everyone agrees, everything can move forward,” he said, reiterating that consensus among stakeholders was essential.
Responding to questions about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his family, Naqvi dismissed speculation circulating over the past two days about possible developments.
He said Imran Khan and his family would receive whatever legal rights were available to them under the law and whatever relief was granted by the courts. He maintained that there had been no change in the existing situation.
During the press conference, Naqvi also addressed concerns about online harassment and financial fraud, particularly cases involving women and young girls.
He declared a zero-tolerance policy against individuals involved in blackmailing girls, adding that women were increasingly becoming targets in online fraud cases.
The minister also highlighted the government’s responsibility to eliminate corruption, saying action had already been taken against corrupt elements within the Interior Ministry.
He urged citizens to identify and report individuals involved in corrupt practices, assuring them that complaints would be taken seriously and action would follow where evidence was established.
Naqvi further criticised illegal land occupation in Islamabad, describing the scale of encroachment on government and private land as unprecedented.
His remarks covered several major issues, including the creation of new provinces, political consensus, the legal status of Imran Khan and his family, cybercrime and corruption.
