Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab (2023–2024)
Naqvi was one of the two nominees suggested by Hamza Shahbaz,Leader of the Opposition Punjab Assembly for the caretaker chief ministership of the province. [10] The appointment of Naqvi as caretaker CM was later made by Election Commission of Pakistan during a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner,Sikander Sultan Raja after an unusual delay and constant deadlock between the previous provincial government and the opposition over the nominees after the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly. [11]
Naqvi assumed office as caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab on 22 January 2023. [11] Subsequently,on 27 January,an eight-member caretaker provincial cabinet for Punjab was inaugurated. [12]
The selection of Naqvi as the caretaker Chief Minister faced substantial backlash from various quarters,notably the PTI. Criticism intensified following revelations of Naqvi's involvement in the controversial Haris Steel Case,where he reportedly entered into a plea bargain with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). PTI had vehemently denounced the appointment,labeling it as unlawful and invalid. [13] On 28 January 2023,following Naqvi's assumption of office as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab,the PTI lodged a petition against his appointment in the Supreme Court. The PTI petitioned the court to prohibit Naqvi from forming a cabinet,executing administrative duties,and making decisions regarding election. The petition further argued that the Election Commission and its members had breached constitutional and statutory obligations pertaining to the appointment of Naqvi as caretaker chief minister. [14] The outgoing Chief Minister of Punjab Parvez Elahi,criticized Naqvi's appointment as "partial and biased," while Imran Khan deemed Naqvi a "controversial and biased personality" and therefore unacceptable to his party. Khan further alleged that the ECP had appointed Naqvi to manipulate the forthcoming elections in Punjab. [15]
During an interview on 29 January,Punjab Advocate General Ahmad Awais disclosed that shortly after Naqvi assumed the role of caretaker chief minister,he orchestrated significant illegal transfers,postings,and dismissals of officers across various law enforcement agencies. These actions,purportedly aimed at officers appointed by the PTI government,were alleged to assist the ECP in rigging the election in favor of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan Democratic Movement. [16]
On 12 February,Naqvi purportedly breached the election code of conduct by participating in the groundbreaking event of Bab-e-Pakistan,contravening the ECP regulations that prohibited caretaker governments from engaging in such activities. Additionally,the Punjab Advocate General Ahmad Awais remarked that the ceremony constituted a violation of the election act and was deemed unconstitutional. He further stated that the issue would likely be brought before the court,emphasizing that caretaker administrations should refrain from involvement in such events. [17]
On 14 February 2023,Naqvi stated that he has no intention of extending his tenure as caretaker chief minister, [18] noting that the term of a caretaker government typically ranges from 60 to 90 days. [19]
According to a petition filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on 29 April,it was argued that the term of Naqvi as the caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab had expired as per the constitution after 90 days and that Naqvi was unlawfully occupying the office. [20]
Following the 2024 Pakistani general election on 8 February,Parvez Elahi leveled accusations against Naqvi,alleging that he deprived the people of their electoral mandate and stated that "Naqvi and his police are the real culprits behind stealing the mandate of the citizens". [21]
Naqvi convened farewell meeting of the provincial cabinet of Punjab on 23 February 2024. [22]
Interior Minister of Pakistan (2024–present)
On 10 March 2024,following reports that Naqvi was set to join Shehbaz Sharif's federal cabinet as Interior Minister,both the PML-N and the PPP denied that he was their candidate. A senior PML-N leader stated that Naqvi did not represent their party and suggested that he was the PPP’s choice,while a PPP leader described him as "Rawalpindi's man",referencing the influence of the Pakistani military. [23] Another PML-N leader expressed concern that his appointment could adversely affect the government's image. [24]
Naqvi was sworn in on 11 March 2024 and appointed as Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control. [25] Later,he announced his candidacy for the 2024 Pakistani Senate election with the objective of securing a full federal ministerial portfolio. [26] He filed his nomination as an independent candidate and received support for his candidacy from four parties in the ruling coalition—PML-N,PPP,PML-Q,and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party. [27] On April 8,he was sworn in as a member of the Senate. [28]
In March 2024,Hamid Khan,representing Imran Khan,petitioned the Supreme Court to establish a judicial commission comprising serving Supreme Court judges to investigate alleged rigging in 2024 election. The petition also called for an investigation into Naqvi's actions,alleging violations of oaths and subversion of the Constitution,and requested that he be tried for high treason. [29]
In April 2024,while in jail,Imran Khan said in an interview that "The king is sitting back," referring to Chief of Army Asim Munir,and claimed that Naqvi had assumed the role of "viceroy". He further asserted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not hold actual executive power and implicated Naqvi,several judges,Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja,and the caretaker government led by Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar in the judicial process known as the "London Plan". [30] On 8 April 2024,during a joint press conference,Qaisera Elahi,wife of Pervaiz Elahi,and Sumaira Elahi,sister of Shujaat Hussain,accused Naqvi of contributing to the discord between Pervaiz Elahi and Shujaat Hussain. [31] [32] Naqvi is a relative of Shujaat Hussain,with family divisions reportedly emerging during the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan in April 2022. [33] Fractures within the family began to emerge during the No-confidence motion against Imran Khan in April 2022. [34] On 26 April 2024,during his appearance in the National Assembly,PTI leaders,including the Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan and the PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan,criticized him and questioned his election to the Senate as an independent candidate,referencing his previous role as caretaker chief minister of Punjab. They also criticized his non-attendance at National Assembly sessions. [35]
In May 2024,PML-N Senator Afnan Ullah Khan criticized the election of independent candidates to the Senate,including Naqvi,describing it as a continuation of the hybrid system. He stated that although most of the PML-N opposed supporting independent candidates like Naqvi,the decision was made by Nawaz Sharif. [36]
On November 26,2024,a large number of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters marched towards D-Chowk in Islamabad to participate in a protest organized in response to a call from their leader,Imran Khan. Three days prior to the protest,Pakistan’s Interior Minister,Mohsin Naqvi,stated during a press conference that strict action,potentially involving assistance from Pakistan’s military forces,would be taken if PTI workers proceeded with the protest in Islamabad. [37] On the day of the protest,clashes reportedly led to the deaths of 14 civilians and 4 security personnel. Accounts suggest that violence erupted during the demonstration,involving shootings attributed to security forces. Allegations have been made against Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar,claiming their involvement in the events that resulted in fatalities,injuries,and instances of individuals reportedly missing. [38] In January 2025,a serious diplomatic blunder occurred during his visit to the United States as Secretary of the Interior,force Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify its stance on the “One China”principle. [39] Naqvi faced criticism after attending an event organized by the New Federal State of China—a U.S.-based political lobby consisting of Chinese dissidents and Americans advocating for the end of China's Communist Party rule. [40]
