Naqvi denies Gen Asim Munir intends to become president

ISLAMABAD-(Mudassar Iqbal)-Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday dismissed rumours suggesting that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir intends to become the president of Pakistan, terming the speculation “completely baseless and harmful to national stability.”

In a statement issued on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the federal minister strongly condemned what he described as a “negative campaign” targeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the army chief.

“These rumours are being deliberately spread by hostile elements and foreign agencies to undermine political stability and institutional harmony in the country,” the minister claimed.

Naqvi said there was no truth to reports of President Zardari resigning or Gen Munir eyeing the presidency. “The Chief of Army Staff has no political objectives. His only focus is on strengthening Pakistan and ensuring its stability,” he said.

The interior minister also underlined the “deep mutual respect and trust” between the military and civilian leadership, particularly between the president and the army chief, saying that “this relationship cannot be shaken by such propaganda.”

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Responding to a journalist’s question earlier regarding the alleged removal of President Zardari, Naqvi had also clarified that “no such discussion is taking place at any level.”

He stressed that the government was aware of “who is behind these false narratives, why they are being circulated, and who stands to benefit.”

“Let them do whatever they want. We will take every necessary step to make Pakistan strong again, InshaAllah,” he concluded.