Addressing a press conference on counterterrorism and security, the military spokesperson said effective governance was essential to tackling Pakistan’s security and governance challenges.

“Good governance is essential for Pakistan’s security. If the issues are not being resolved, it means that something should be done for good governance,” Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said.

When asked about Mohsin Naqvi’s recent remarks advocating new administrative units, the DG ISPR declined to comment, saying the interior minister’s statement reflected his personal opinion.

“I will not comment on the interior minister’s statement because it is his personal opinion,” he said.

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif said lasting peace, stability and sustainable development could not be achieved without effective governance.

He said all political parties had reached a consensus on the 14 points of the National Action Plan (NAP), adding that Pakistan’s national counterterrorism narrative was built around that framework.

“The success of the National Action Plan also depends on effective governance. We have to take practical steps in this regard,” he said.

Highlighting Pakistan’s administrative challenges, the military spokesperson noted that the country’s population had grown from around 70 to 80 million in 1972 to nearly 250 million today, while the administrative structure had largely remained unchanged.

“Our population has increased significantly, but the country still has the same four provinces. We need to think seriously about how to improve governance,” he said.

His remarks came a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, speaking at an economic summit in Islamabad, argued that the existing administrative system had lost its ability to resolve the country’s problems.

Naqvi said Pakistan would eventually have to create new administrative units and provinces, arguing that the current governance structure was no longer capable of meeting the country’s growing needs.