Rumours of President Zardari’s removal baseless: Interior Minister

For the first time, politicians, govt, and military united — and that unsettles some, says Mohsin Naqvi

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Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has dismissed speculation regarding the removal of President Asif Ali Zardari, calling such rumours baseless and driven by discomfort over political and institutional unity.

“For the first time, politicians, the government, and the military establishment are united—and that bothers some people,” Naqvi said while addressing the media in Sukkur on Saturday.

سکھر۔ وفاقی وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کا محرم الحرام کی مناسبت سے پاکستان کے سب بڑے و 500 سال قدیمی جلوس کا دورہ
وزیرداخلہ نے جلوس کے لیے کیے گئے انتظامات دیکھے
وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی نے پاکستان کے سب سے بڑے جلوس کے لئے کیے گئے انتظامات پر وزیر اعلی سندھ مراد علی شاہ۔سول انتظامیہ۔

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 5, 2025

Responding to a journalist’s question about circulating claims of President Zardari’s removal and constitutional amendments, Naqvi urged restraint from political debate during Muharram.

“It would be a good thing if we refrained from politics for two days. Do not believe everything on social media,” he added.

Naqvi was in Sukkur to oversee security arrangements for Muharram processions. He said more than 2,700 processions were taking place nationwide, with Sukkur hosting the largest in the country.

“Credit goes to the entire team for managing Pakistan’s largest procession,” he said, expressing confidence that all events would conclude peacefully by evening.

When asked about deteriorating law and order in Sindh’s Shikarpur, Kashmore, and Kandhkot districts, Naqvi acknowledged the situation and assured that coordinated efforts were underway.

“Just like we pushed back terrorists in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, we’ll deal with the dacoits in Sindh as well,” he said. “The federal and provincial governments will act together to resolve this issue.”

سوشل میڈیا پر مذہبی اشتعال انگیزی کسی صورت نہ پہلے برداشت کی اور نہ آئندہ برداشت کی جائے گی۔
امن و امان برقرار رکھنا اولین ترجیح ہے۔
فتنہ الہندوستان کے مذموم عزائم ناکام بنانے کے لئے قانون نافذ کرنے والے ادارے مکمل چوکس ہیں۔ محسن نقوی

— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) July 5, 2025

He has warned that any form of religious incitement on social media will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Naqvi reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace during Muharram and countering threats across all regions.

"InshaAllah, Ashura will remain peaceful thanks to the efforts of the government and the tireless dedication of our security forces," Naqvi stated.