Hyderabad: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has triggered a political controversy after comparing the country’s frustrated youth to “cockroaches” while warning that if they unite, they could “turn everything upside down.” His remarks, made during the Pakistan Economic Summit in Islamabad, have sparked widespread debate on social media and drawn reactions from the Pakistan Army and political leaders.
Naqvi said Pakistan’s existing governance model had failed to meet the aspirations of young people and called for major administrative and political reforms.
Army distances itself from Naqvi’s remarks
Addressing the summit, Naqvi said the country’s youth were demanding justice, merit based employment and equal opportunities rather than government handouts.
“You can call them youth, or cockroaches, or whatever you want. But if these cockroaches come together, they can turn everything upside down,” he said, arguing that an organised youth movement could transform the country.
His comments came as a social media movement calling itself “Cockroach Party Pakistan” has gained attention online. The group describes itself as a youth driven movement campaigning against corruption, poor governance and Pakistan’s economic crisis.
Naqvi also criticised the country’s governance system, saying Pakistan cannot progress unless political parties work together on structural reforms.
“The system has failed. Even if the Prime Minister works 14 to 16 hours a day, the situation will not improve until the system is reset,” he said.
Responding to questions about Naqvi’s statement, Pakistan Army spokesperson and Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the minister’s remarks reflected his personal opinion.
“Good governance is possible only in a secure and stable Pakistan. How political parties achieve that is for them to decide,” Chaudhry said, declining to comment further.
Former Pakistan President Dr Arif Alvi also criticised Naqvi’s assessment, arguing that the country’s political system had not failed but had been weakened by those in power.
Alvi alleged that electoral mandates had been undermined and said Pakistan’s democratic institutions had suffered because elected representatives were prevented from governing effectively. He also criticised the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and called for restoring democratic processes.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) General Secretary Nayyar Bukhari said any proposal to create new provinces or administrative units must follow the constitutional process, requiring approval by the provincial assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate.
Naqvi had proposed creating more administrative units and promoting new leadership as part of broader reforms aimed at improving governance and addressing the concerns of Pakistan’s youth.
