DG ISPR dismisses rumours of Army Chief becoming President

The Pakistan Army has strongly rejected speculation on Field Marshal Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Syed Asim Munir vying to become president of Pakistan.

Speaking to The Economist, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry rubished such rumours as “completely baseless”. 

His statement comes a month after the interior minister issued a similar rebuttal clarifying that there was no truth to speculation about the president being asked to resign or the field marshall aspiring to assume presidency. 

The Economist noted that FM Munir’s popularity has surged since the May conflict with India. It further noted that the ruling coalition’s recently acquired two-thirds majority in parliament further “ignited rumours that the army chief could become president too”.   Last month, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had also rebuffed speculations on social media suggesting the ouster of President Asif Ali Zardari, calling them baseless.

Commenting on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reported resolve to respond to terrorist attacks with military action, DG ISPR responded, “this time, we will start from the East of India”.

“It will begin with deep strikes inside India,” he added.  “India must understand that they can be struck anywhere.”

Read: Interior minister rebuffs rumours of President Zardari’s ouster as ‘malicious campaign’

He firmly denied any discussions or intentions concerning the president’s resignation or a change in leadership.

We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign targeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and the Chief of Army Staff. I have categorically stated that there has been no discussion,nor does any such idea exist,about the President being asked…

 

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) July 10, 2025

“The sole focus of the COAS is the strength and stability of Pakistan, nothing else,” reiterated the interior minister.

Earlier this year, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in May formally conferred the rank of Field Marshal on COAS General Syed Asim Munir.

The federal cabinet approved the promotion during a high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, where ministers hailed the operational success of Operation Bunyanum Mursoos. The operation was described as a historic military victory that repelled Indian aggression and ensured the country’s sovereignty. Field Marshal Munir also praised the political leadership for their “strategic foresight” during Operation Marka-i-Haq.

FM Munir is the nation’s second army officer to be promoted to field marshal since 1947, since independence. Former army chief and military dictator Gen Ayub Khan was conferred the rank in 1959.

Shortly afterwards, in Washington, US President Donald Trump said he was “honoured” to meet FM Munir during a rare White House meeting, crediting him with playing a key role in halting the conflict between Pakistan and India.