Khawaja Asif meets Nawaz Sharif amid resignation rumours

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday met PML-N president Nawaz Sharif in Murree amid rumours of his resignation.

Speculation surfaced on social media Thursday, claiming Asif had stepped down over the arrest of Sialkot’s Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue (ADCR) by the anti-corruption department.

Khawaja Asif dismissed the reports of his resignation as “baseless”. “The person has expressed his own wishes in the post, not the truth,” he wrote on X.

معذرت کیساتھ ان صاحب نے اپنی خواھشات اس ٹویٹ میں لکھیں ھیں ۔ حقیقت نہیں pic.twitter.com/Awgm5EJHMT

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) August 6, 2025

The rumours began after journalist Zubair Ali Khan alleged the minister had sent his resignation to PM’s Adviser Dr Tauqeer Shah, demanding the ADCR’s release or acceptance of his resignation. He further claimed the ADCR , also a returning officer in the 2024 elections, was arrested over financial irregularities and placed on five-day remand.

Three PTI leaders removed from NA posts

According to Zubair, Asif had conveyed his concerns to Nawaz Sharif, who advised him to withdraw the resignation.

However, official sources said Friday’s meeting between Asif and Nawaz focused on matters of mutual interest and the overall political situation.

The controversy followed Asif’s recent criticism of senior bureaucracy, alleging many officials are buying property in Portugal to settle there, with over half seeking citizenship through investment.

Web Desk