ISLAMABAD – July 10, 2025: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday strongly refuted widespread rumours suggesting that President Asif Ali Zardari had been asked to resign, calling them part of a “malicious campaign” driven by hostile elements seeking to destabilize Pakistan’s civil-military and political leadership.
“We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign targeting President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the Chief of Army Staff,” Naqvi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He categorically denied that there had been any discussion about Zardari stepping down or that COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir aspired to assume the presidency.
“The President of Pakistan enjoys a strong and respectful relationship with the leadership of the armed forces,” Naqvi asserted.
He further quoted President Zardari as saying:
“I know who is spreading these falsehoods, why they are doing so, and who stands to benefit from this propaganda.”
Naqvi added that the Chief of Army Staff’s “sole focus” remains the strength and stability of Pakistan.
“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,” he said.
PML-N, PPP Close Ranks
Earlier in the day, PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui also rubbished reports about Zardari’s alleged resignation during a segment on Geo News.
“Reports that Zardari is resigning, Imran’s sons are coming, Nawaz Sharif is going to Adiala — these are not news. They are bogus, table stories,” Siddiqui remarked.
He emphasized that President Zardari, who heads the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), has not created any obstacles for the coalition government and continues to fulfill his constitutional role responsibly.
“We have a coalition with the PPP. Why would we bring down this system?” Siddiqui asked, reaffirming that the PML-N has no issues working with Zardari.
Backdrop: Rising Digital Propaganda
The denials come amid an uptick in politically charged misinformation campaigns on social media, which have targeted top state officials and military leadership over the past two years.
Both the government and the armed forces have repeatedly warned about the spread of “fake news and digital terrorism,” with ISPR spokesperson Maj Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry previously stating that not enough is being done under existing laws to curb these threats.
In May 2024, President Zardari and PM Shehbaz formally conferred the rank of Field Marshal on General Asim Munir in recognition of his “sagacious leadership and exceptional strategy” during the Marka-i-Haq conflict with India. The honour was followed by a dinner hosted by the COAS, in which he praised the civilian leadership’s strategic foresight.
The following month, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the current hybrid model of governance as a “practical necessity” and claimed it was “doing wonders” for Pakistan.
In the same period, Zardari and Munir had jointly condemned “baseless and unsubstantiated allegations” made by “a specific political party and its few individuals” who allegedly targeted the military for their own political interests.
