ISLAMABAD: Following his removal as secretary to the president, Waqar Ahmed issued a statement asserting that President Dr. Arif Alvi had neither assented to the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, nor the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023 nor had he provided a written decision for their return to parliament for reconsideration.
In a letter sent to the president, Ahmed clarified the timeline of events. The office received the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill on August 2 and sent it on to the president on August 3. President Alvi had a 10-day window until August 11 to advise on the bill. However, as per the letter, the president neither assented to the bill nor provided a written decision for its return by August 21.
Similarly, on August 8, they received the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill and on August 9, they moved it to the president’s office. The note accompanying the bill stated that the prime minister’s advice was received on August 8, and the 10-day period for consideration would end on August 17. Yet, the president did not assent to this bill either, nor did he offer a written decision for its return by August 21.
Ahmed denied any delay or irregularity on his part, stating that the files for both bills remain within the President’s Office. He expressed his willingness to undergo investigation and even appear in court to prove his innocence if necessary.
He requested the president to withdraw the decision to surrender his services to the Establishment Division and proposed an inquiry by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) or another agency to examine the facts and determine responsibility for any lapse.
