Interior Minister Denies Claims of President Zardari’s Removal and Army Chief Munir’s Presidential Ambitions, Calling Them a ‘Malicious Campaign’
11 July 2025, New Delhi
Amid a storm of social media speculation and rising political chatter, the Pakistan government has issued a firm denial of rumors suggesting a possible military coup and the removal of President Asif Ali Zardari. Reports claiming that Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir is seeking to assume the presidency have been labelled by officials as baseless and politically motivated.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi addressed the circulating rumors, stating that there have been no internal discussions or considerations regarding President Zardari’s resignation. He emphasized that the relationship between the civilian leadership and the military remains “strong, respectful, and cooperative.”
“These are nothing more than malicious and fabricated stories aimed at destabilizing the political system,” Naqvi said. “Such misinformation is part of a deliberate attempt to create division and confusion among the country’s leadership.” He warned that the false narrative being spread on digital platforms is designed to damage the credibility of key national institutions.
Rumors began to spread rapidly online after General Munir’s recent elevation to Field Marshal, a rare military rank last held by former dictator Ayub Khan. Some observers speculated that the move could signal deeper political ambitions. However, Naqvi dismissed such links as speculative and unfounded.
The government has pointed fingers at both internal opposition elements and foreign-sponsored propaganda networks for fueling the rumor mill. Naqvi asserted that these false narratives are aimed at undermining Pakistan’s democratic institutions and spreading uncertainty in a time of relative political calm.
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Both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have echoed the government’s stance. Senior PPP leader Nayyar Hussain Bukhari called the claims “completely baseless,” noting that the party’s cooperation with the current government is intact. PML-N’s Senator Irfan Siddiqui also dismissed the possibility of any coup, stating that no such idea has been floated or discussed.
President Zardari, elected last year for a five-year term, has maintained a cordial and constructive relationship with both the Prime Minister and the military leadership. Despite past tensions between civilian governments and the military in Pakistan, current interactions appear stable and devoid of public friction.
As the speculation continues to simmer online, the government’s clear rebuttal aims to close the door on any false perceptions of unrest. For now, Pakistan’s leadership appears unified in its message: democratic governance will not be disrupted by rumor or manipulation.