Islamabad shuns rumour over Munir’s presidency claim

Strongly dismissing rumours that Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari may be forced to step down and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir aspired to assume the presidency, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said such claims were “mere speculations”.

“Field Marshal Asim Munir has never expressed any desire to become the president, nor is there any such plan in the offing,” Sharif said on Friday.

The clarification comes after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement on X on Thursday, denounced the “malicious campaign” targeting Zardari, Sharif and Munir.

“We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign,” said Naqvi, who is considered close to the top military leadership.

Naqvi alleged the involvement of hostile foreign elements in the campaign and said, “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.”

Both Zardari and his son Bilawal have maintained good working relations with the establishment.