Islamabad:
Senator Irfan Siddiqui, head of the parliamentary party of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Senate and president of the Standing Foreign Affairs Committee, categorically rejected any change to the president’s office, calling reports on the baseless issue.
“There is no proposal under study to replace President Asif Zardari. He plays perfectly in his role as head of constitutional state,” he said.
The Minister of the Interior, Mohin Naqvi, also rejected rumors on the possible dismissal of the Asif president Ali Zardari, declaring that some people are uncomfortable because politicians, the government and the army united.
“For the first time, politicians, the government and the military establishment are on the same wavelength, and that disturbs some people. These people broadcast such stories,” Naqvi said on Saturday, who does not belong to any of the ruling parties but is considered near Zardari.
Addressing a private news channel, Siddiqui said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was with PML-N. He appreciated the positive role of the PPP in government support, however, he said that government support does not agree on everything.
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He also underlined the commendable role of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in diplomacy, noting that he played a very positive role in the representation of the interests of Pakistan on the international scene.
In addition, in response to rumors on a first meeting between the president of PML-N Nawaz Sharif and the founder of the PTI, Imran Khan, in Adiala prison, Siddiqui qualified the complaint completely false and baseless.
“The problem is that, following the conclusion of recent wars and the decline of the influence of Tehreek-e-insaf and Imran Khan, the media find it difficult to find new subjects and have used sensationalism,” he noted.
On another question, the senator said that the path Imran Khan had chosen is that of isolation. He noted the division within PTI, which he considers the greatest challenge for him. He suggested that it would be preferable for Khan to negotiate first in his own party.
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Vice-Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also denied information reporting a meeting between the leader of the PML-N Nawaz Sharif and the founder of the PTI, Imran Khan, calling them without foundation and part of a “sponsored story” aimed at creating political confusion.
“These are substantive speculations-it could be someone’s list of wishes. We don’t need to approach anyone,” he said.
The Siddiqui senator added that Nawaz Sharif occupies 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 general elections will take place in time, he said that the elections will take place once the constitutional mandate is over.
Regarding the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, he said that there was no proposal under study for Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to join PML-N. “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif only visited him to find out about his health, and nothing beyond that has taken place,” he confirmed.
