Leaving office is not an option: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said leaving office is not an option and that no one has asked him to resign, responding to speculation that the military wanted his departure.

"No one has asked for it yet. If someone does, I'll tell you," Zardari, who appeared in good spirits after medical treatment in Dubai last month, said in a pre-recorded interview with Hamid Mir.

Although his position is largely ceremonial, Zardari wields considerable influence as leader of the ruling party and any forced departure would be a humiliation for the civilian leadership and could throw the country into turmoil.

When asked in the interview if "escape" was an option for him, Zardari replied:

"Why should it be?"