Latest news with #Zardari
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Speculations about change in Pak's political landscape after civilian-military leaders' meeting
The latest meeting of Pakistan's top civilian and military leadership has once again fuelled rumours of a possible change in the country's political landscape amid speculations of the army chief possibly aspiring to be the next president. This is the third time this month that there have been widespread speculations about the change in presidency, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif himself last week dismissing rumours that President Asif Ali Zardari may be forced to step down and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to assume his post. The latest round of rumours came after Field Marshal Munir called on Sharif at the PM House shortly before the latter met Zardari at the president's house on Tuesday, The Express Tribune reported. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The high-level engagements have taken place amid growing speculation about a possible 27th constitutional amendment and rumours suggesting Zardari may step down to make way for his successor, the report said. The speculation, largely fuelled by social media , hinted at behind-the-scenes efforts to replace the parliamentary system with a presidential form of government. Live Events Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the speculations were "unfounded", but confirmed the issue of media reports regarding the president's resignation and his possible replacement by the army chief indeed came up during the meeting between Zardari and Sharif. He said the speculation stemmed from a media report that was possibly retracted. Earlier on July 11, strongly dismissing rumours that Zardari may be forced to step down and Munir aspired to assume the presidency, Sharif said such claims were "mere speculations". "Field Marshal Asim Munir has never expressed any desire to become the president, nor is there any such plan in the offing," Sharif told The News. Sharif's clarification had come after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement on X on July 10, denounced the "malicious campaign" targeting Zardari, Sharif and Munir "We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign," Naqvi, who is considered close to the top military leadership, had said. On Wednesday, amid intense speculation about a potential shift in the country's power and political structure, the defence minister categorically refuted all the speculations, and said Zardari was apprised about the developments and he showed "full confidence" in the government and the current political system. "The president was fully aware of the issue and expressed his full confidence in the government," Asif told The Express Tribune, adding that Sharif briefed Zardari about the unconfirmed story and the subsequent developments. "It's all kite flying," he said. While confirming that Sharif had a meeting with the field marshal before the PM-led delegation called on Zardari, Asif said there was nothing unusual about it as the premier and field marshal routinely meet three times in a week to discuss different issues. "The army chief has no interest in politics," Asif claimed. The defence minister said the army chief already held the highest office in the military and has earned massive respect following Pakistan's recent conflict with India. "He [field marshal] doesn't need anything," Asif added. The minister also dismissed the conjectures that there was a rift between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP), the two major parties of the ruling coalition, after the former emerged as the single largest party in the national assembly following the Supreme Court's ruling in the reserved seats case. "We will keep a united face," he said, adding: "We are not just partners in power but beyond." Following a split mandate in the February 8 general elections last year, Zardari's PPP helped the PML-N form the government in the Centre. In response to a question about whether the 27th Amendment was still being considered even if there was no change in the presidency or the political structure, Asif said there was no deliberation about any constitutional amendment at the moment. However, he maintained that introducing a constitutional amendment was a legitimate process and could be used just like it had been on previous occasions. Asif also denied that Tuesday's meeting included any discussion on any legislative business in the coming weeks. "No legislative agenda was discussed during the meeting." Meanwhile, according to a statement by the President's Press Wing following the meeting, Sharif met Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr in the presence of federal ministers Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Mohsin Naqvi and PM's Adviser Rana Sanaullah to discuss the country's political, economic and security situation. It said the premier briefed the president on the government's economic measures, and both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to working together for national stability, development and prosperity.
Hindustan Times
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Not for aggression': Shehbaz Sharif denies use of nuclear weapons during India-Pak conflict
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday dismissed the notion of a nuclear exchange during the recent conflict with India, saying his country's nuclear programme was meant for 'peaceful purposes and self-defence'. Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif says the country's nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes and national defence.(REUTERS File) Sharif made the comments while addressing a group of Pakistani students in Islamabad. Recalling the four-day military confrontation, Sharif said 55 Pakistanis were killed during the Indian military strikes. However, he claimed that Pakistan had responded with 'full might' during the escalation. When asked about the possibility of using nuclear weapons, Sharif said, 'Pakistan's nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes and national defence, not for aggression.' India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. As part of Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces carried out strikes on May 7, targeting nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Bahawalpur, a known stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit. The strikes were in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 civilians were killed. Sharif denies rumours of Zardari stepping down Sharif also dismissed rumours that Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari may be forced to step down and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir aspired to assume the presidency, Sharif said such claims were 'mere speculations'. 'Field Marshal Asim Munir has never expressed any desire to become the president, nor is there any such plan in the offing,' he told The News on Friday. Sharif added that he, Zardari and Munir shared a relationship built on mutual respect. The clarification followed interior minister Mohsin Naqvi's statement on X on Thursday, in which he denounced the 'malicious campaign' targeting Zardari, Sharif, and Munir. 'We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign,' said Naqvi, who is considered close to the top military leadership. 'I have categorically stated 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. Naqvi also alleged the involvement of hostile foreign elements in fuelling the campaign and said, '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.' Munir was appointed as army chief in 2022 for a three-year tenure, which was later extended to five years by the government. With PTI inputs
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh energy minister calls on President
KARACHI: Provincial Minister for Energy, Planning, and Development Nasir Hussain Shah called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad. During the meeting, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah briefed the President on Sindh's energy issues, the province's representation in OGDCL, and other matters. He noted that problems are arising due to the lack of provincial representation in power companies. Nasir Shah urged President Zardari to ensure the provincial government's representation in K-Electric (KE). He also briefed on the establishment of the Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority (SEPRA), stating that the aim of this institution is 'our own electricity, our own tariff' to provide relief to the people from high electricity costs. President Zardari stated that Sindh is the hub of energy and that the development of Sindh is, in fact, the development of the entire country. He assured that Sindh's energy issues will be addressed promptly and its all concerns will be resolved. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Asim Munir to replace Asif Ali Zardari as Pakistan president? Govt responds
The Pakistani government on Thursday dismissed speculation of possible ouster of President Asif Ali Zardari, terming the 'rumours' as 'malicious campaign' FILE PHOTO: A police officer stands in front of the traffic, next to posters of the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Asim Munir, in Karachi, Pakistan May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo(REUTERS) Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday said the Pakistani government is 'fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign'. Naqvi's statement was in reaction to speculation on social media platforms that army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir was set to replace Zardari as president of the country. Also Read: Who is Asim Munir? All you need to know about the Pakistan Army chief '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,' Naqvi said in a post on X, but did not name anyone. '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 said. He added that President Zardari 'enjoys a strong and respectful relationship with the leadership of the armed forces.' He quoted President Zardari as having 'clearly' stated: 'I know who is spreading these falsehoods, why they are doing so, and who stands to benefit from this propaganda.' Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's 'sole focus' was Pakistan's strength and stability, and 'nothing else', Naqvi said. '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. Asim Munir's elevation Asim Munir was elevated to the post of army chief in 2022 for a tenure of three years but last year the government extended the tenure term to five years. The Pakistan government in My promoted army chief General Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal for his role in the recent hostilities with India, marking only the second time in the country's history that a military official has been elevated to the status. The Pakistani government can also extend it by another term, according to a PTI news agency report. Zardari was elected last year as president for a five-year tenure as a quid pro quo for supporting the candidacy of Shehbaz Sharif for the post of prime minister. Both Zardari and his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have maintained good working ties with the establishment. Bilawal was asked to head the delegation which visited various world capitals to explain the circumstances of the recent India-Pakistan conflict, which, observers said, showed the trust he enjoyed of the powerful circles.
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan not a terror facilitator but victim: Bilawal
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari firmly refuted claims that Pakistan supports any terrorist organisation, stating in an interview with Indian media that 'Pakistan is a victim of terrorism, not its facilitator'. He emphasised that neither within nor beyond Pakistan's borders does the state permit terrorist activities. Over the past year alone, more than 1,200 civilians lost their lives to terrorism, with a total of 92,000 casualties sustained in the country's broader counter-terrorism efforts. Expressing condolences over the recent Pahalgam incident in Kashmir, Zardari stressed Pakistan's own struggle against terrorism. He dismissed allegations made by the Indian government blaming Pakistan for the attack, asserting he is open to transparent investigations, confident such inquiries would clear Pakistan's name. Bilawal urges Afghan govt to fulfil commitments under Doha Agreement Zardari noted that modern technology has not enabled India to identify the perpetrators, accusing Indian media of spreading 'false propaganda' and misleading the public . He also traced the origins of terrorism to Afghanistan, highlighting the role of Al-Qaeda and similar groups, some of which operated in Kashmir under the banner of jihad.
