Career
He suppressed a rebellion of Cretan Greeks during the troubles of the 1820s in various Aegean Islands in league with the Greek War of Independence and subsequently (in 1832) was appointed governor to Crete. On 18 May 1828 he regained Frangokastello (in Crete), to Ottoman control, from Hatzimichalis Dalianis. As of 1832, Mustafa Naili Pasha administered the island for two decades, which is why Ottoman records refer to him as "Giritli" (the Cretan)
In 1834, however, a Cretan committee was already set up in Athens to work for the union of the island with Greece.
In 1840, Egypt was forced by Palmerston to return Crete to direct Ottoman rule.
An Anglo-Ottoman naval operation restored control in the island and Mustafa Naili Pasha was confirmed as its governor, though under command from İstanbul. He remained in Crete until 1851 when he was summoned to the capital, where at a relatively advanced age he pursued a successful career.
His office of grand vizier has been marked by the tensions between the Ottoman Empire and Russia. His first period of office coincides with the immediate eve of the start of the Crimean War and his second, with the aftermath of that war.