Curious absence: Is Mohsin Naqvi quietly being replaced as Pakistan's Interior Minister?

Is Mohsin Naqvi making a quiet exit from Pakistan's Interior Ministry, or is he preparing for a comeback? Once a visible and vocal minister, his sudden disappearance from the public eye has fueled speculation about his future in the government, where ministers typically maintain high profiles during security crises.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, in a recent TV interview, stated that Mohsin Naqvi is suffering from health issues and has not been responding to calls. However, speculation about his diminishing role in the ministry began when the government appointed Pervez Khattak as the new Adviser on Interior Affairs to the Prime Minister and Talal Chaudhry as Minister of State for Interior.

Pervez Khattak, once a close ally of PTI chief Imran Khan, later parted ways with the party and formed his political group. His inclusion in the Interior Ministry raised questions about whether Naqvi was being sidelined.

After weeks of absence, Mohsin Naqvi was recently seen attending the funeral of the mother of Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. A journalist told Nukta on condition of anonymity that when questioned about his absence, Naqvi explained he had been undergoing medical treatment in the UAE due to stomach-related issues. He assured that he would soon resume his official responsibilities.

The same source, who was present at the funeral, reported that Naqvi appeared visibly weak and fatigued, reinforcing claims about his health struggles.

Another seasoned journalist, Amir Ilyas Rana, shared with Nukta that Naqvi is off the screen because of his health issues and will resume his duties soon after Eid. Parliamentary Secretary on Information Danyal Chaudhry also told Nukta that Naqvi is away due to health reasons.

Ikhtiar Wali, the Prime Minister’s coordinator on information for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa affairs, also said Mohsin Naqvi had been unwell for the past few days, which explained his absence from the media and other public engagements.

"I even spoke with him yesterday, and he remains fully committed to his work. There is no truth to the rumors that he has resigned or is being appointed elsewhere. After the Eid holidays, he will resume his duties as interior minister in full capacity, playing his role in the country's stability. In the coming days, he will be seen working with even greater efficiency and dedication," he said.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, in an exclusive conversation with Nukta, dismissed speculation about Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s absence, stating that he had been unwell but is now recovering.

"Naqvi has not disappeared from the scene. He had some health issues, but he is much better now," Chaudhry said.

He added that two days ago, Naqvi chaired an important security meeting, including the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), via video link and received a full briefing. "Yesterday, he also attended a meeting, and today he chaired another session on ICT security. He is in Pakistan and actively performing his duties," Chaudhry said.

He dismissed speculation about Naqvi’s status, emphasizing that he remains committed to his work. "The only reason he was not seen was his ill health, but he has been in constant contact with me, and all matters are being handled under his instructions."

"Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is not going anywhere," he affirmed.

“He (Naqvi) is not well, speculation in media is absolutely wrong,” Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Nukta.

‘Political illness?’

Senior journalist Salman Ghani said that while Mohsin Naqvi is currently unwell, his challenges appear more political than physical. He noted that tensions between Naqvi and those who had backed his rise had been growing for some time, a rift that became evident through Naqvi’s recent actions.

According to Ghani, Naqvi opposed the inclusion of Pervez Khattak and Talal Chaudhry in the federal cabinet and signaled his dissatisfaction by suggesting he no longer wished to play an active role in the current administration.

Ghani further revealed that he directly asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about Naqvi’s absence. The prime minister replied that he would speak with Naqvi and provide an update. However, Ghani interpreted this response as a sign of the premier’s limited control over certain matters, suggesting that Naqvi had held significant influence in government decisions.

Despite serving as both interior minister and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Naqvi also exerted influence over Punjab’s affairs, Ghani claimed. However, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz resisted his interference, even removing officers appointed by him.

These developments, Ghani argued, indicate that Naqvi no longer wields the same power and influence. He also confirmed that Naqvi returned to Pakistan just four hours before a National Security Committee meeting was set to take place. However, due to his growing differences with key power brokers, he chose not to attend.

Health struggles or performance issues?

Despite these clarifications, Naqvi remains absent from TV screens and press conferences, where he was previously seen frequently addressing national issues.

Some government sources suggest that dissatisfaction with his performance may be the real reason behind his sidelining. According to these insiders, Naqvi was assigned the task of negotiating with Maulana Fazlur Rehman to secure his support against PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but he failed to achieve this.

This has reportedly led the government to bring in former PTI figures to fulfill its objectives. Additionally, his tenure as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not yield significant results.

On the other hand, with the country facing a surge in terrorist activities, some officials believe that Naqvi has failed to effectively manage security challenges as the Interior Minister.

Naqvi absent from crucial security gatherings

March was marked by relentless terrorist attacks across Pakistan, severely shaking the nation's security. From targeted blasts on police convoys in Dera Ismail Khan and a mosque explosion in Peshawar to militant attacks in Bannu and a deadly assault on the Jaffar Express in Bolan, violence spread across multiple regions.

During these critical incidents, Naqvi remained largely absent, issuing only a few statements.

Notably, in the aftermath of the Jaffer Express attack, it was Balochistan's Chief Minister and DG ISPR who led the press briefing, while the Interior Minister was once again missing from the scene.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also absent from the recent National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, which was convened to address Pakistan's escalating security challenges.

His absence from such crucial gatherings has raised questions, as key officials discussed the country's counterterrorism strategy without him. No official explanation has been provided for his nonattendance, however, the recent developments suggest that a "soft departure" may already be in progress.