DG ISPR Rejects Munir Presidency Rumors as Baseless

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The Pakistan Army’s spokesperson has dismissed rumors that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is seeking the presidency, calling such claims “nonsense” and politically motivated.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has firmly rejected speculation that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is aiming to become Pakistan’s president, labeling the rumors “completely baseless” in an interview with The Economist, as reported by Dawn. The statement addresses claims that surfaced following Munir’s promotion to Field Marshal in May 2025, a rare honor previously awarded only to General Ayub Khan in 1959, per The Express Tribune. Chaudhry emphasized that Munir has no interest in the presidency and that such narratives are attempts to drag the military into political controversies.

The rumors gained traction after a May 2025 conflict with India, dubbed “Marka-e-Haq,” which boosted Munir’s public profile, according to Pakistan Today. The ruling coalition’s two-thirds parliamentary majority, sufficient for constitutional amendments, further fueled speculation, as noted by The Economist. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a July 2025 statement on X, also dismissed similar claims, asserting that no discussions about President Asif Ali Zardari’s resignation or Munir’s presidential ambitions exist, per Geo.tv. Naqvi described these as part of a “malicious campaign” targeting Pakistan’s leadership, a view echoed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who emphasized mutual respect among the government, president, and military, according to The News International.

Chaudhry warned against the spread of “digital terrorism” through social media, urging stronger action against misinformation, as reported by Radio Pakistan. The military’s focus remains on national security, with Chaudhry stating that any Indian aggression would prompt a strong response, starting with “deep strikes” from Pakistan’s eastern front, per The Express Tribune. The government and military continue to prioritize stability and unity, rejecting attempts to sow discord through unfounded rumors.