Interior Minister Dismisses Zardari Removal Rumors

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi refuted assertions regarding Asif Ali Zardari’s potential removal from the presidency and the implementation of the 27th constitutional amendment. He urged the public to disregard what he termed as “social media speculations.”

Naqvi addressed the media during a visit to Rohri, Sindh, on the eve of Ashura.

A journalist inquired about reports suggesting President Zardari’s removal and a possible new constitutional amendment.

Naqvi dismissed these claims and cautioned against taking social media reports seriously.

He also requested the media to avoid political conjecture for at least two days out of respect for Ashura.

“Some individuals are troubled because, for the first time, politicians, the government, and the military establishment are united. These elements are disseminating misleading narratives,” he stated.

His statement follows the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) securing a simple majority in the National Assembly after the Election Commission of Pakistan reinstated reserved seats, subsequent to a verdict by the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench.

This also granted the ruling coalition a two-thirds majority in the lower house, increasing its strength from 218 to 235 members.

PPP to Remain Key Ally: Ishaq Dar

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar affirmed that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would remain a crucial ally of the PML-N, despite the latter’s attainment of a simple majority in the National Assembly due to the reserved seats ruling.

“PPP is and will remain our coalition partner,” the deputy prime minister stated, noting that forming a government after the 2024 general elections would have been impossible without the PPP’s support.

Speaking to reporters at the Data Darbar shrine in Lahore, Dar mentioned that the PPP, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stood by the government during challenging times, and the PML-N, led by Nawaz Sharif, would not abandon it during times of stability.

Responding to a question, he clarified that the coalition partner has not requested any ministerial positions from the PML-N.