Naqvi Meets Zardari in Nawabshah After Surprise Dash
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi meets Zardari in Nawabshah on Thursday night, flying in for an hour-long meeting with the president amid speculation over new provinces, a possible referendum and action against the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
Naqvi travelled to Nawabshah carrying what sources described as an important message from a senior national figure. He sought to take the president into confidence over the matters discussed, according to the Tribune, which first reported the visit.
Naqvi meets Zardari in Nawabshah
Naqvi arrived at Nawabshah airport from Islamabad aboard a special aircraft. He was received by Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar, Minister for Works and Services and Prisons Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Samad Nizamani and Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Sameer Noor Channa.
He was escorted to Zardari House under tight security. The meeting lasted around 59 minutes, after which the interior minister departed for Islamabad aboard his special aircraft.
No official statement has been issued about the meeting or the alleged message. The visit has drawn attention in political circles given the reported agenda and the involvement of senior political figures.
What the meeting covered
According to sources, the meeting focused on proposals for the creation of new provinces, the possibility of holding a referendum on the issue and potential action against the JUI-F.
The new-provinces question has been live in national politics for weeks. Naqvi himself proposed a referendum on new administrative units at NCCIA Lahore earlier on Thursday, and the idea has been debated in parliament and in the media since.
The JUI-F angle also has recent history. Maulana Fazlur Rehman has accused the government of reneging on mediation over the KP emergency, and his party has been central to the opposition’s response to governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Why the visit matters
The dash to Nawabshah is notable for its timing and its secrecy. Naqvi flew in, met the president for an hour and flew back the same night, with no public schedule and no statement afterwards.
It also shows how directly the presidency is involved in the new-provinces debate. President Zardari is the PPP co-chairman, and any move on provinces or a referendum would need his party’s backing. A message carried in person, rather than by phone, suggests the matter was judged too sensitive for normal channels.
The visit comes as the political standoff over KP continues. Shandana Gulzar has moved the Federal Constitutional Court seeking the release of Sohail Afridi and other PTI workers, who have been in custody since the emergency was imposed. A joint session of parliament has endorsed governor’s rule in the province.
What happens next
Nothing has been confirmed officially, so the next step is to watch for a statement from the Presidency or the Interior Ministry, and for any move in parliament on the provinces question. The Shehbaz-Zardari meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr in October showed the two leaders coordinate closely on the KP emergency, and a similar pattern may follow here.
If a referendum proposal is formally tabled, it will need parliamentary backing and a clear question for voters. For now, the Nawabshah meeting remains an unconfirmed but closely watched development.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Mohsin Naqvi meet in Nawabshah?
President Asif Ali Zardari, at Zardari House in Nawabshah. The meeting lasted around 59 minutes on Thursday night, November 12.
Why did Naqvi travel to Nawabshah?
According to sources, he carried an important message from a senior national figure and wanted to take the president into confidence on proposals for new provinces, a possible referendum and potential action against the JUI-F. No official statement has confirmed this.
Who received Naqvi at Nawabshah airport?
Sindh Home Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar, Minister for Works and Services and Prisons Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Samad Nizamani and SSP Dr Sameer Noor Channa.
Has the government confirmed the meeting?
No. No official statement had been issued about the meeting or the alleged message at the time of writing.
What did Naqvi say about a referendum earlier on Thursday?
At NCCIA Lahore, Naqvi proposed a referendum on new administrative units, saying the public should decide the question. Feature Pakistan covered that proposal earlier on November 12.
