On Tuesday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari decisively refuted circulating rumors about President Asif Ali Zardari’s future as the nation’s head of state. Bukhari emphasized that the government’s functionality is contingent upon the PPP’s continued support. “The government cannot function without the support of the PPP. There is no truth to the speculations against President Zardari,” he stated.
This clarification comes amid various reports suggesting President Zardari’s potential removal from office and the possibility of a new constitutional amendment. These rumors gained traction after the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured a simple majority in the National Assembly. This occurred following the reinstatement of reserved seats by the Election Commission of Pakistan, as per a verdict from the Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench. The development also provided the ruling alliance with a two-thirds majority in the lower house, increasing its strength from 218 to 235 members.
Elaborating on the alleged plans to remove President Zardari, Bukhari asserted that those propagating such speculations lack an understanding of the Constitution and legal frameworks. The PPP secretary general further clarified that the party has no intentions of joining the federal cabinet. The PPP leader’s strong denial mirrors a statement made by PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui, who also firmly dismissed any reports suggesting a proposal to replace the president, as reported by The News. “No such suggestion is under consideration at any level,” Senator Siddiqui affirmed during a television appearance. He stressed that President Zardari is effectively performing his constitutional role as head of state, while also criticizing certain media narratives. Commenting on the current coalition setup, Siddiqui reiterated that the PPP remains an ally of the PML-N-led government, noting, “Being in government together does not imply agreement on every issue.”
Before the rebuttals from Bukhari and Senator Siddiqui, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had also dismissed claims of President Zardari’s possible removal, categorizing them as mere social media speculations that the public should disregard. “Some people are bothered as, for the first time, politicians, government, and military establishment are on the same page. Those elements are spreading misleading narratives,” Naqvi stated during his visit to Rohri city in Sindh on the eve of Ashura.
