Claim: In recent days, reports have been circulating across social media platforms and the Indian media, alleging that President of Pakistan, Ali Zardari, is being removed from office or is being pressured to resign. Simultaneously, it has been speculated that Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir is being elevated to the rank of “Field Marshal” and preparations are underway to install him as President. These rumors have stirred anxiety within Pakistan’s political environment and triggered a wave of speculation among the public. ‣ Ambiguous Statement by Azaz Syed: These rumors appear to have originated from a statement made by senior Pakistani journalist Azaz Syed in his YouTube program Talk Shock. Although he did not explicitly state who was behind the alleged move to remove President Zardari, he asserted: “A plan has already been made to remove Ali Zardari from the office and efforts will be made to have him resign voluntarily. However, in my view, he will not go easily and will resist till the very end.” While Azaz Syed’s words were vague and speculative, Indian media outlets seized upon this narrative and used it as the basis for a sensationalist campaign. ‣ Indian Media’s Disinformation Drive: The resignation speculation and supposed elevation of General Asim Munir were quickly amplified by Indian media, which reported the story in an alarmist and exaggerated tone. The first outlet to report this was India TV News on July 6, using Azaz Syed’s statement as its core basis. India TV published the report under the headline: “Pakistan: Coup speculation grows amid reports of possible ouster of President Asif Ali Zardari.” Following India TV, the story was picked up and echoed by several other Indian outlets, including: Money Control, fpjindia, Business Today,CNNnews,Indiacom,dna, republic and others. These reports were speculative, misleading, and based on a deliberate distortion of Azaz Syed‘s words. They misrepresented his comments as confirmation of an active military coup plan. Furthermore, in the absence of official clarification, the misinformation campaign not only misled international audiences but also contributed to political unrest and deepened public mistrust at a critical juncture in Pakistan’s democratic process.

Fact-Check: Our team conducted a comprehensive investigation into the rumors about President Zardari’s resignation and General Asim Munir’s alleged installation as “Field Marshal.” Upon verification of facts, public statements, and credible sources, the conclusion is unequivocal: these claims are entirely false, fabricated, and devoid of any factual basis. Both civil and military institutions in Pakistan have clearly rejected the rumors. Here are the key findings from the inquiry:

1. Strong Rebuttals from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP):Sherry Rehman (Vice President, PPP): “Talk of President Zardari’s resignation is baseless and misleading. These rumors are part of a systematic conspiracy to undermine Pakistan’s democratic structure. President Zardari symbolizes democratic continuity and is a true custodian of constitutional values. He remains a steadfast defender of the parliamentary system.”

2. Shazia Atta Marri (Spokesperson, PPP Parliamentarians) clarified and said: “These stories about President Zardari stepping down are false and fabricated. Neither the President nor the PPP has ever backed away from political challenges. We’ve faced dictatorships, imprisonments and political persecution. Our alliances remain strong, and there’s no constitutional ground for any such shift.” ‣

3.Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari (Secretary-General, PPP Parliamentarians) dismissed the speculation and said: “President Asif Ali Zardari is the elected head of state. The system cannot function without him, and the government cannot survive without the PPP’s support. These social media rumors are baseless and are part of a conspiracy to destabilize the state.”…..1/3