No proposal to replace president: Senator Irfan

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) in the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, has firmly denied reports suggesting any proposal to replace President Asif Ali Zardari, stating that “no such suggestion is under consideration at any level.”

Speaking during a private TV channel talk show, Siddiqui said President Zardari is playing his constitutional role effectively as the head of state. He criticized certain media narratives, saying the vacuum created by the political sidelining of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the end of recent global conflicts has left the media short of meaningful content, resulting in “sensationalism and gossip-mongering.”

Commenting on the coalition setup, Siddiqui said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) remains an ally of the PML-N-led government. “Being in government together does not imply agreement on every issue,” he noted. He also commended Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for playing a commendable diplomatic role in promoting Pakistan’s interests on the global stage.

On reports claiming that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had visited incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, Siddiqui categorically dismissed the speculation as “completely baseless and fabricated.” When asked about Imran Khan’s political strategy, Siddiqui remarked that the PTI leader is treading a path of isolation, with internal divisions posing a serious challenge to his leadership. “He should first reconcile with his own party before expecting dialogue with others,” he advised.

On Nawaz Sharif’s influence, Senator Irfan Siddiqui stated that whether or not he holds an official or party position, the PML-N supremo remains the most influential political figure in Pakistan. “His input is vital in all key decisions,” he said. He also dismissed speculation regarding Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan rejoining PML-N, clarifying that there is no such proposal under discussion. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited him for health-related reasons, and nothing beyond that transpired,” he added.

On the question of elections, Senator Irfan Siddiqui reiterated that general elections will be held upon the completion of the constitutional term, affirming the government’s commitment to constitutional continuity.Highlighting the government’s performance, Senator Irfan Siddiqui claimed that over the past two years, economic and political stability has improved, bolstering the government’s position while weakening PTI’s public support. He praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s work at the federal level and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s efforts in Punjab.