Rauf Klasra Questions Ahsan Iqbal’s Role in IMF Talks, Criticizes Mohsin Naqvi

ISLAMABAD:Senior journalist and political analyst Rauf Klasra has questioned Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s reported demand for a role in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), while also making claims about Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s involvement in Islamabad’s development planning.

In a post on social media platform X, Klasra criticized Iqbal’s call for a role in the IMF negotiations, arguing that the planning minister allegedly has limited influence over administrative matters and development planning in Islamabad.

Klasra claimed that key authority over Islamabad’s development planning and projects had been retained by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi rather than the Planning Division. He alleged that important projects, contractor selections and related decisions were being handled by Naqvi.

Klasra further claimed that Iqbal had remained a “silent spectator” and argued that the planning minister should first seek restoration of what he described as his constitutional and administrative powers rather than seeking a role in IMF negotiations.

The journalist also criticized the government’s security arrangements in Islamabad ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s proposed protest and long march on September 27.

He alleged that the capital had effectively been sealed with containers well before the planned protest, comparing the measures with similar security arrangements adopted by previous interior ministers.

Klasra questioned the scale and timing of the security measures, saying the authorities should have shown greater confidence in their administrative arrangements.

The statements are Klasra’s own comments and allegations; the claims regarding the distribution of administrative authority and decision-making over Islamabad’s development projects were not independently verified in the information provided.