Islamabad:
Senator Irfan Siddiqui, parliamentary party leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Senate and chairman of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, categorically rejected any change in the presidential office, calling the case baseless.
“There is no proposal under consideration at any level of replacing President Asif Zardari. He appears excellent in his role as the constitutional head of state,” he said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also dismissed rumors of the possible removal of President Asif Ali Zardari, saying some people are uncomfortable because politicians, government and the military stand United.
“For the first time, politicians, the government and the military business are on the same side, and it bothers certain individuals. These people spread such stories,” said Naqvi, who does not belong to any of the ruling parties, but is considered close to Zardari, Saturday.
In a speech with a private news channel, Siddiqui mentioned that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) stands with PML-N. He appreciated PPP’s positive role in supporting the government, but he clarified that support for the government does not mean to agree on everything.
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He also highlighted Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s commendable role in diplomacy and noted that he has played a very positive role in representing Pakistan’s interests on the international stage.
In response to rumors of a supposed meeting between PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and PTI founder Imran Khan in Adiala Prison, Siddiqui called the claim completely false and baseless.
“The problem is that, after the end of the recent wars and the decline of Tehreek-In-Insaf and Imran Khan’s influence, the media struggles to find new topics and have resorted to sensationalism,” he noted.
On another topic, the senator said the path Imran Khan has chosen is one of the insulation. He noticed the division within PTI, which he sees as the biggest challenge for him. He suggested it would be better for Khan to negotiate first within his own party.
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Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had also denied reports of a meeting between PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PTI founder Imran Khan and called them baseless and part of a “sponsored tale” aimed at creating political confusion.
“This is baseless speculation – it could be anyone’s wish list. We don’t have to go to anyone,” he said.
Senator Siddiqui added that whether Nawaz Sharif has a public or party office, he remains the most influential figure in Pakistan, and his opinion is considered in all major decisions.
In response to a question of whether the parliamentary elections will be held on time, he declared that elections will take place when the constitutional period is completed.
As for the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, he stated that there is no proposal considered for Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to join PML-N. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited him only to ask about his health, and nothing beyond that took place,” he confirmed.
