Govt rebuffs rumours of Zardari’s resignation, COAS ‘aspiring to assume presidency’

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The federal government on Thursday categorically denied speculations related to President Asif Ali Zardari’s resignation and claims that Field Marshal Asim Munir was “aspiring to assume the presidency”.

“We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign targeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the Chief of Army Staff,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement on his X handle on Thursday.

“I have categorically stated that there has been no discussion, nor does any such idea exist, about the President being asked to resign or the COAS aspiring to assume the presidency,” he added.

Naqvi said President Zardari enjoys a strong and respectful relationship with the leadership of the armed forces. He quoted the president as saying: “I know who is spreading these falsehoods, why they are doing so, and who stands to benefit from this propaganda”.

“To those involved in this narrative, do whatever you wish in collaboration with hostile foreign agencies. As for us, we will do whatever is necessary to make Pakistan strong again, InshAllah,” the minister added, stressing that the sole focus of the COAS was on the strength and stability of Pakistan and nothing else.

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has also echoed this stance with Senator Irfan Siddiqui firmly denying reports suggesting any proposal to replace the president.

“No such suggestion is under consideration at any level,” Senator Siddiqui said while speaking on a private television channel. Stressing that President Zardari was playing his constitutional role effectively as the head of state, the senior politician criticised certain media narratives.

Commenting on the coalition setup, Siddiqui said the PPP remains an ally of the PMLN-led government. “Being in government together does not imply agreement on every issue,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Yusuf Raza Gilani, incumbent Senate Chairman and former prime minister, said reports claiming that President Asif Ali Zardari is being asked to resign are disinformation. He said this on Thursday while talking to the media in Karachi where he had gone to attend a court hearing.

Gilani dismissed the corruption allegations against him as baseless, stating, “Justice delayed is justice denied. These cases have been going on for 12 years.”

Commenting on political developments in Punjab, Gilani said the decision of not joining the government was made by the Pakistan Peoples Party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), and it was up to the CEC to reverse that decision.

When questioned about the government’s sugar import decision, he responded, “We are not part of the government and I am not its spokesperson.”

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Rana Sanaullah also dismissed rumours of a split with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), affirming that the current coalition government would continue as is.

Speaking on Geo News’ programme ‘Capital Talk’, Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister on political affairs, said: “The coalition government cannot continue without the alliance.

Even after the change in numbers following the reserved seats verdict, this system cannot work without the PPP and PML-N coalition. Both parties acknowledge this.”

He added that the rumours circulating about the future of the alliance were “completely baseless.”

Addressing claims that Field Marshal Asim Munir could be considered for the presidency, Sanaullah stated: “Let me be clear — this person will stay in uniform and go home after that, whenever that may be. There is no question of assuming any other office.”