ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has said that he never approved the Official Secrets (Amendment) 2023 bill and the Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) 2023 bill. He asserted that his staff went against his instructions by signing laws instead of sending them back to the parliament.
The President clarified that he never agreed with the content of the amendments. He had explicitly directed his staff to return the two bills to Parliament, according to his statement.
Reports emerged in the Pakistani media that President Alvi signed the two bills, even though he had sent more than a dozen other bills back to Parliament.
The President’s assertion is unprecedented. He confirmed that he had verified with his staff that the bills had been returned to Parliament. President Alvi expressed his regrets to those who would be affected by the passage of these bills.
The President shared on X: “As God is my witness, I did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 & Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 as I disagreed with these laws. I asked my staff to return the bills unsigned within the stipulated time to make them ineffective. I confirmed from them many times whether they have been returned & was assured that they were. However, I have found out today that my staff undermined my will and command. As Allah knows all, He will forgive IA. But I ask forgiveness from those who will be affected.”
