ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has firmly rejected the malicious campaign suggesting that President Asif Ali Zardari may step down or that Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir wants to become president.
While speaking to media on Friday, PM Shehbaz called such talk nothing but baseless propaganda. He made it clear: “Field Marshal Asim Munir has never shown interest in the presidency, nor is any such plan under discussion.”
The Prime Minister stressed that he, the President, and the Army Chief work with mutual trust. Their relationship, he said, is based on respect and a shared vision for a better and stronger Pakistan.
This public rejection of the smear campaign follows a statement from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. On his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Naqvi said that there is a deliberate attempt to target President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz, and the Army Chief.
“We know exactly who is spreading this false narrative,” said Naqvi, who is known to have close ties with the military leadership. He added, “There has been no conversation, no plan, and no such idea that President Zardari will resign or that the COAS wants to become President.”
Naqvi went further. He accused foreign hostile elements of supporting the campaign. “Those behind this disinformation may continue working with foreign agencies,” he warned. “But we will do whatever is needed to make Pakistan stronger — InshAllah.”
Senate Chairman and former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani also responded. He called the rumors “pure disinformation.”
Top officials and coalition partners are now speaking with one voice. Their aim is to shut down this misleading talk. The malicious campaign is being seen as politically motivated and dangerous.
By openly denying the claims, the government has presented a united front. It has shown that the leadership is aligned, focused, and working for the stability of Pakistan.
