Let people decide: Mohsin Naqvi proposes referendum on new provinces

LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has proposed holding a referendum on the creation of new provinces, saying the matter should ultimately be decided by the people rather than prolonged political disagreement.

Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Naqvi said political parties could hold differing views on the issue, but argued that public opinion should be sought to bring the debate to a conclusion.

“We all talk about democracy and say that the people are supreme,” he said, urging political parties to consider a referendum.

“If the people say new provinces should not be created, I will be 100 per cent with them that they should not be created. If the people say they should be created, then they should be created.”

Naqvi said surveys and public discussions appeared to indicate support for the creation of new provinces, but maintained that the most appropriate way forward was to formally seek the people’s opinion.

He said political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), had their own positions on the matter, while some parties had not publicly clarified their stance.

“Everyone has the right to hold their own position,” he said. “But, in my view, the best solution is to take the opinion of the people.”

The interior minister said that if political parties believed there was a better mechanism than a referendum, that proposal should also be taken before the public.

Naqvi stressed that no decision on such a politically sensitive issue would be imposed unilaterally, saying the PPP, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and other coalition partners were important stakeholders in the government.

“Nothing will happen through disagreement,” he said, adding that any major decision would be taken collectively and only with the agreement of the relevant political stakeholders.

Notices and alleged encroachments

Responding to questions about notices issued in connection with alleged encroachments and reports concerning Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Naqvi rejected the suggestion that any single political figure was being specifically targeted.

He said notices had been issued to “five or six thousand” people and that the campaign had been under discussion in the media for the past four to five months.

“The notices have not been issued only to Maulana Fazlur Rehman,” he said.

Naqvi said those affected would have access to legal remedies, but expressed concern over what he described as widespread illegal occupation of land in Islamabad.

He said the federal capital’s land had been encroached upon on a scale he considered unprecedented, adding that those facing action would nevertheless be entitled to pursue their cases through legal channels.

‘Political matters need a reset’

Asked about political tensions and allegations of selective accountability, Naqvi said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had also spoken about a possible “reset” in political matters.

Naqvi said his own view was that broader issues needed to be reset, adding that he and Bilawal appeared to be “almost on the same page” on the matter.

However, he said action against corruption should not be viewed as politically motivated merely because it involved particular individuals or institutions.

“If anyone says there is no corruption in Pakistan, then, with apologies, corruption exists across Pakistan,” he said, adding that it was the government’s responsibility to identify corruption through evidence and take action against those responsible.

Naqvi said the Interior Ministry was also taking action within its own ranks, despite efforts to maintain strict oversight.

He added that corruption should be acknowledged wherever it existed, including within the Capital Development Authority (CDA), rather than ignored.

CDA cases under investigation

Referring to accountability within government departments, Naqvi said law enforcement agencies were investigating major cases related to the CDA.

He said authorities had also taken action against a government officer, adding that the government was attempting to ensure accountability extended beyond politicians.

Naqvi said some officials had been removed or were facing further proceedings, while investigations into major CDA-related cases were continuing.

He urged caution over material circulated on social media, saying videos and other content were sometimes repeatedly amplified in ways that could contribute to propaganda or misinformation.

NCCIA highlights alleged examination scam

Earlier, Naqvi also praised the work of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), saying its limited resources had placed significant pressure on its personnel.

He said the agency had a small workforce compared with the size of the population and the scale of its responsibilities.

Naqvi particularly highlighted what he described as a major international examination fraud, alleging that a gang had helped around 5,000 Pakistanis pass examinations linked to international institutes through dishonest means.

He said authorities planned to take action against both the gang and those who had benefited from the alleged fraud.

Naqvi described the case as a major scam that could have damaged Pakistan’s interests internationally if it had not been uncovered, crediting NCCIA Director General Atif Ikram Sheikh and his team for their work.

Action against alleged pornography network

The interior minister also said authorities had made 15 arrests over the past month in cases linked to an alleged online pornography business.

He said the suspects were based in Pakistan, particularly Lahore, and were allegedly connected with international websites.

Naqvi said the authorities were determined to take action against those involved in such activities, adding that other cases involving alleged scams, call centres and child victims had also been investigated.

He said stronger resources for the cybercrime authorities could help the government better control such activities and dismantle related networks operating from Pakistan.