Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will complete his five-year term in office, seeking to quell speculation over the future of the government following his recent remarks that the country’s governance system had “collapsed”.

Naqvi, who is regarded as one of the most influential figures in Pakistan’s power structure because of his close ties with Army Chief Asim Munir, reiterated that while the country’s administrative system had failed, his comments were not directed at the present government.

Naqvi Rules Out Any Threat to Sharif Government

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Naqvi dismissed speculation about the stability of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government and said Sharif would remain in office for the duration of his constitutional term.

“The future for the government is the completion of its five-year tenure. Shehbaz Sharif will remain the prime minister for five years. He will complete his five-year term,” Naqvi said.

His clarification came days after his remarks at the Pakistan Economic Summit fuelled speculation about possible political instability and exposed apparent tensions within Pakistan’s hybrid political system, where the military has traditionally wielded significant influence.

‘System Has Been Destroyed’, Says Minister

Addressing the controversy surrounding his earlier comments, Naqvi maintained that Pakistan’s governance framework had failed but insisted he was not criticising the current administration.

He said the “system has been destroyed”, but stressed that his remarks should not be viewed as a “chargesheet” against the Shehbaz Sharif government.

According to Naqvi, his comments referred to Pakistan’s “80-year-old (administrative) system”, which he argued requires fundamental reforms rather than reflecting the performance of the present government.

Earlier Remarks Triggered Political Speculation

At the Pakistan Economic Summit last week, Naqvi declared that the country’s governance system had “collapsed” and called for the creation of new provinces to improve administration.

Days later, he made another high-profile claim, alleging that authorities had uncovered the “biggest corruption scandal” in Pakistan’s history involving judges, bureaucrats and politicians. He also pledged that “every person responsible” would face prosecution.

The two statements intensified speculation over a possible political realignment, especially as Pakistan’s next general election is not due until 2029.

Questions Over Pakistan’s Power Structure

Naqvi occupies a unique position in Pakistan’s political landscape. Although he is not affiliated with any political party, he serves as interior minister and also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), making him one of the country’s most influential officials after the prime minister.

His prominence has also drawn attention to the balance of power within Pakistan’s political system. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently described Naqvi as a “powerhouse” who is “not answerable to anyone”.

Despite Naqvi’s assurances, Pakistan’s political history has been marked by instability. Since the country’s independence in 1947, no prime minister has completed a full five-year constitutional term, with successive governments cut short by military coups, assassinations or forced resignations.

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