Federal Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday delivered a detailed and strongly worded press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, warning that fake news would not be allowed to create chaos in the country and urging citizens to report evidence-based concerns rather than baseless allegations.
Naqvi, who also attended the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and met players from Sialkot and Karachi Blues, spoke at length about governance, immigration issues, social media trends, and federal-provincial coordination.
‘Will not allow chaos through fake news’
Mohsin Naqvi said he fully supports freedom of expression as a journalist by profession, but warned that misinformation spreading on social media is causing serious harm.
“If there is evidence, then definitely inform us. Otherwise, we will not allow anyone to be accused without proof,” he emphasized. “We will not allow chaos to be spread in the country through fake news.”
He added that officials are monitoring all developments closely and action would be taken against anyone spreading false narratives.
Visa misuse, offloading concerns
Naqvi pointed to alarming visa practices, stating, “A person who was going to Saudi Arabia on a driver’s visa did not even know how to drive.” He added that not everyone in the FIA is “an angel,” but stressed that accountability and monitoring mechanisms were in place.
The interior minister also discussed the rising number of passengers being offloaded at airports, claiming that an “agent mafia” was running a campaign to mislead people. He confirmed that one individual was recently offloaded at Islamabad Airport.
Crackdown on illegal Afghans
Naqvi reiterated his directive for illegal Afghan nationals to return with honour, saying: “You were our guests. Those who have now been sent back -- if they return illegally, we will punish them.”
He revealed that Afghans involved in attacks on Islamabad and the FC Headquarters had already been identified. “From this week, all SHOs are being given the responsibility of finding and sending back illegal Afghans,” he announced.
He noted that while Afghans are being repatriated from three provinces, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) was not fully implementing federal policies, and camps closed by the federal government remain operational there.
The minister stressed that the KP government must enforce federal directives without exception. “We cannot tolerate such situations anymore,” he said, adding that movement from one point leads to suspects escaping from another, and checks are being strengthened accordingly.
He assured the public that original visas and legitimate employment pose no issue for authorities.
Earlier, Naqvi, who is also the PCB chairman, arrived at Gaddafi Stadium for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final and watched the match alongside officials. He also met players from the Sialkot and Karachi Blues teams, and extended his best wishes to both sides.
