Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday categorically rejected reports claiming President Asif Ali Zardari has been asked to step down, indicating “hostile foreign agencies” were involved in spreading this narrative.
“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,” he wrote in a posting on X.
“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.
“The President of Pakistan enjoys a strong and respectful relationship with the leadership of the Armed Forces,” he wrote, quoting Zardari as saying he was aware of who is spreading such falsehoods, why, and who stood to benefit from the propaganda.
“The sole focus of the COAS is the strength and stability of Pakistan, nothing else,” he continued. “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 added.
Earlier this week, reports emerged of Zardari being asked to step down, with Field Marshal Asim Munir replacing him as president. The reports have been rejected by multiple journalists, with security sources maintaining there is no truth to them.