Islamabad: Despite claims from senior journalists Sohail Warraich and Najam Sethi that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is unhappy with the appointment of Pervez Khattak as Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs and Talal Chaudhry as Minister of State, sources privy to the matter have categorically refuted these assertions. Insiders speaking to The Scoop confirm that Naqvi was not only aware of these appointments but played a decisive role in securing Khattak’s inclusion in the government.

A senior government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: “The claim that Mohsin Naqvi was kept out of the loop in Pervez Khattak’s appointment is entirely baseless. In fact, Naqvi was instrumental in convincing Khattak not to join Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and instead align with the government.”

This revelation directly contradicts Warraich’s opinion piece, which suggested that Naqvi was blindsided by the appointment. Another high-level source told The Scoop: “Khattak was all set to join JUI-F, but Naqvi personally stepped in, held discussions with him, and persuaded him to reconsider. Both Khattak and Talal Chaudhry were appointed after Naqvi’s approval, not behind his back.”

Also Read: Why is Rana Sanaullah jealous of Mohsin Naqvi?

Moreover, sources confirm that despite widespread speculation, Mohsin Naqvi has no intention of resigning from his position as Interior Minister. A senior political insider clarified: “Najam Sethi and Sohail Warraich’s claims about Naqvi stepping down are nothing more than speculation. He remains fully committed to his role and continues to make key strategic decisions within the government.”

It is pertinent to mention that Talal Chaudhry is a political rival of Rana Sanaullah from Faisalabad within PML-N, who lost his seat in the 2024 general elections and has since harboured resentment toward Mohsin Naqvi. Sources suggest that Sanaullah, who previously held the Interior Ministry, had hoped to reclaim the position, but Naqvi’s strong grip on the portfolio has frustrated him. “Sanaullah is envious of Naqvi for multiple reasons—his rising influence, his close ties with the establishment, and the fact that he was entrusted with a role that Sanaullah himself wanted,” a government insider revealed.

While Khattak’s appointment has sparked criticism within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), particularly from its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa leadership, insiders suggest that the move is part of a broader strategy to weaken PTI’s influence in the province. “The objective is clear—Khattak’s induction will counterbalance PTI’s hold in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly against Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur,” the source added.

With these developments, the evolving political dynamics indicate that Mohsin Naqvi is not just an observer but an active architect of the government’s strategy. His role remains central, and contrary to media speculation, he is not resigning anytime soon.