Islamabad 6 August: Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), categorically rejected rumors suggesting that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir aspires to become Pakistan’s president, labeling the claims as “nonsense” and “baseless.”
In an interview with The Economist, Chaudhry dismissed speculations that emerged following Munir’s high-profile engagements, including a June 18 meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, as unfounded attempts to drag the military into political discourse.
The rebuttal follows earlier clarifications from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in July, who denounced similar rumors as a “malicious campaign” targeting the country’s leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari. Sharif emphasized that he, Zardari, and Munir share a relationship built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to Pakistan’s progress, with no discussions or plans regarding the presidency. Naqvi, in a post on X, accused unnamed actors of orchestrating the rumors to sow discord.
The speculation gained traction after a May conflict with India, where Munir’s leadership during Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos earned him the ceremonial rank of Field Marshal, the second such honor in Pakistan’s history after General Ayub Khan in 1959. The Economist noted Munir’s rising popularity and his role in strengthening U.S.-Pakistan ties, prompting Indian media to speculate about his political ambitions, which Chaudhry dismissed as “irresponsible” and “fictional.”
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Chaudhry also addressed regional tensions, warning that any future Indian aggression would prompt a robust response, with Pakistan striking “deeper within India” from the eastern front. He stressed that Munir’s focus remains on national security and stability, not political office, and urged an end to misleading narratives.
