ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) demanded President Arif Alvi’s resignation following his denial of signing two pivotal bills related to army and secrets laws.
In a surprising turn of events, President Alvi said that he had not endorsed the bills amending the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act, citing his disagreement with these laws.
President Alvi, using the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, conveyed that he instructed his office staff to return the bills unsigned within the specified time to render them ineffective.
“I verified from them multiple times whether they had been returned and was assured they were. However, I have now discovered that my staff disregarded my will and directive. As Allah is all-knowing, He will, God willing, forgive. Yet, I seek forgiveness from those who will be affected,” the president remarked.
Reports emerged on Saturday that President Alvi had signed the Official Secrets Act and the Army Act Amendment Bill, which the National Assembly and the Senate had approved. Consequently, both bills became law.
Soon after the passage of the law, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan faced charges in the cipher case. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, a senior leader of the party, was apprehended from his residence in the evening. Today, sources disclosed that Asad Umar had been detained in connection with the case.
Faisal Karim Kundi termed the incident “regrettable”
Meanwhile, PPP spokesperson Faisal Karim Kundi termed the incident “regrettable” and expressed sorrow that the president offered an apology “24 hours after the media reported it”.
“I believe that a person of such nature is unfit to continue as the president. This individual is unaware of ongoing events. He doesn’t even know who undermined his authority,” remarked the PPP leader.
However, PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman raised doubts about Alvi’s competence to remain in the presidency.
“Is he implying that someone else signed the bills under his nose?” wondered Rehman, asserting that if this is the case, the president should step down.
The PML-N leader called for his resignation
Meanwhile, PML-N leader and former finance minister Ishaq Dar found Alvi’s statement “difficult to believe” and called for his resignation.
“Basic morality necessitates Alvi to resign, having failed to manage his office effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with the Rules of Business,” said the finance minister, whose government’s term concluded earlier this month. “Official tasks are conducted through proper channels, ensuring implementation — such statements only indicate playing to the crowd. May God help us!” added the former finance czar.
In its official statement, the Ministry of Law and Justice explained that a bill is forwarded to the president under Article 75 of the Constitution, offering him two options: either approve it or return it with objections.
“Under Article 75, there is no third option,” the ministry affirmed, highlighting that President Alvi did not fulfill his obligations under the said article.
The ministry pointed out that the president intentionally delayed signing the bills, stating that this action ran counter to the spirit of the Constitution.
“If the president intended to return the bills, he should have done so with his comments. He could have returned the bills in the same manner as he had done before.”
The ministry expressed concern that the president chose to malign his staff instead of taking personal responsibility.
