ISLAMABAD – July 11, 2025 — Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly denied social media rumours suggesting that President Asif Ali Zardari is being asked to step down, calling the reports “false, malicious, and politically motivated.”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Naqvi said there is no truth to the speculation and that such rumours are part of a coordinated campaign aimed at undermining key figures in the country’s leadership. “We are fully aware of who is behind this malicious narrative targeting President Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the Chief of Army Staff,” he wrote.
“There has been no discussion — nor even the slightest consideration — of asking the president to resign. Similarly, there is no truth to the claim that the COAS aspires to the presidency,” Naqvi added.
He went on to underscore the close working relationship between President Zardari and the military leadership, asserting that the president continues to enjoy “a strong and respectful understanding” with the armed forces.
According to Naqvi, President Zardari himself has dismissed the rumours, saying: “I know who is spreading these falsehoods, why they’re doing it, and who stands to gain from this propaganda.”
In a pointed message to those allegedly behind the disinformation campaign, Naqvi remarked, “Do whatever you want in collaboration with hostile foreign elements — we will do whatever is necessary to make Pakistan strong again, InshAllah.”
Naqvi’s comments were echoed earlier in the day by PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui, who also rubbished the resignation claims during a segment on Geo News’ “Geo Pakistan.” “These are baseless, fabricated stories — not journalism,” Siddiqui said, referring to online chatter about President Zardari stepping down, Nawaz Sharif returning to jail, and other unverified rumours.
The senator said that President Zardari has created “no difficulties” for the coalition government and understands his constitutional role as head of state. “We have no problems working with the president,” Siddiqui said. “Why would we disrupt the system that we ourselves are a part of?”
The rumours appear against the backdrop of growing social media campaigns aimed at Pakistan’s military establishment — a trend both the government and armed forces have labelled as digital misinformation and propaganda. Military spokesperson Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry recently warned of the growing threat of “digital terrorism,” noting that existing laws were not being fully enforced against such activities.
In May, President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formally promoted Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir to the ceremonial rank of field marshal, citing his “visionary leadership” during the conflict with India. Later, in a dinner hosted by the COAS, Field Marshal Munir praised the country’s political leadership for showing “strategic foresight” during the military operation known as Marka-i-Haq.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently described Pakistan’s hybrid governance model — a power-sharing arrangement between civil and military institutions — as a “practical necessity” and said it was “working well” for the country.
President Zardari and Field Marshal Munir had jointly condemned what they called “unfounded and baseless allegations” from a specific political party that had accused the military of political interference.
As of now, there is no official indication of any rift between Pakistan’s civil and military leadership — and both government and military circles appear determined to dismiss rumours and maintain a unified front amid rising political noise.
