New Delhi: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made a major statement at the Pakistan Economic Summit 2026 in Islamabad on Thursday. He said that the country’s 70-80-year-old governance system has completely collapsed and that if reforms are not implemented now, the country will continue to face repeated crises.
“The system has failed to provide justice and employment to the people.”
Naqvi stated clearly, “Whether you agree or not, the system we live in has failed.” According to him, the governance model that has been in place for decades has failed to provide justice, jobs, and basic amenities to the people.
He said that attempts to solve problems within the same system have repeatedly failed. “If a system hasn’t functioned properly in 70-80 years, it means its foundation is flawed.”
Advocacy for the creation of new provinces
As a solution, the Home Minister spoke of decentralization of power. He demanded the creation of new administrative units and new provinces in Pakistan. Naqvi appealed to all political parties to sit together in one room – whether for a day, a month, or a year. “Everyone has to come together and discuss every issue of the country, including the formation of new units. Otherwise, we will continue to be caught in crises like this.”
“We’re just firefighting.”
Calling himself a supporter of democracy, Naqvi also questioned the government’s functioning. He said that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif works 12-14 hours a day, but we are only engaged in firefighting. The situation will not improve until the basics are fixed. He sarcastically remarked that Pakistan is an agricultural country, yet crops like wheat have to be imported.
Youth anger and the ‘cockroach’ warning
Speaking about youth, Naqvi said that Gen-Z doesn’t want stipends or tablets. They want jobs based on merit and equal opportunities. “We think young people will be happy if we give them a few thousand rupees, but ask them what they want. Given the right opportunity, Pakistani youth can earn $2,000 to $4,000 per month.”
It was here that he issued his most serious warning. Referring to the term used to describe Gen-Z in recent student protests in India, he said, “If these cockroaches unite, they can destroy everything. The government must accept the demands of the youth before their anger escalates.”
Statement given on loans and businessmen also
Expressing concern about the country’s economy, he said that the federal government’s budget itself starts with a negative balance. Every year, we discuss how much more debt to borrow. He also appealed to businesspeople to enter politics. He said, “You fund politicians and consider it a shame to contest elections yourself. If you want to improve the country, you must take the initiative yourself.”