ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Law and Justice responded to President Dr. Arif Alvi’s tweet concerning the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bills 2023 in accordance with Article 75 of the constitution.
The ministry clarified that Article 75 of the constitution provided the president with two options: either approve the legislation or return it to the parliament with observations. However, the constitutional procedure was not followed in this instance.
The Ministry of Law and Justice emphasized, “Returning bills without any observation or assent is not stipulated in the constitution. Such actions run counter to the constitution’s letter and spirit.”
Furthermore, the ministry added, “If the president had any observations, he could have returned the bill with his observations, as he had done in the past. He also had the option to issue a press release in this regard.”
Earlier today, President Alvi refuted claims that he had signed the Official Secrets (Amendment) Act 2023 and the Army (Amendment) Act 2023 into law.
