ISLAMABAD: Interim Law Minister Ahmed Irfan Aslam and Information Minister Murtaza Solangi held a joint press conference in response to President Alvi’s surprising assertions regarding two recently enacted laws. During the press conference, they contradicted the president’s claim that he was unaware of whether the bills had been returned or not.
Mr. Aslam provided their legal and constitutional standpoint regarding the two bills, stating that the government had not received either of the two bills from the presidency. Consequently, both bills have now transformed into laws.
Constitutional Clarification: Interim Government Addresses Presidential Bill Issue
“Under Article 75 of the Constitution, the president only has two options: either to sign a bill or reject it; in case of rejection, he has to give reasons for returning the bills unsigned,” he said.
He further added that in case the president does not exercise either of the two options, a bill automatically becomes a law after a period of ten days.
As per the interim law minister, the president had refrained from utilizing these options. He had held the bills in a pending state at the Presidency. This action implied that once 10 days had transpired, the bills would automatically attain the status of laws.
The minister pointed out that previously, President Alvi had chosen one of the two options, but there had been no instance of allowing any bills to remain unsigned for a ten-day period and obstructing their progress.
In response to a question, Information Minister Solangi dismissed the possibility of taking any action against the president. “The sanctity and respect of the president’s office do not allow us to make any such move. No action can be taken against him till he is in his office,” the minister added.
“Returning the bills without any observations or assent is not provided for in the Constitution. Such a course of action is against the letter and spirit of the Constitution,” the law minister further added.
Mr. Solangi further clarified that they conducted the press conference to remove the ambiguity caused by the president’s statements.
