Pakistan Peoples Party, others urge President Alvi to step down

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) reportedly called for President Arif Alvi’s resignation a few hours after he resisted signing two critical bills related to the army and secrets laws on Sunday, as reported by The News International.

The News International is a daily newspaper published in Pakistan written in English.

According to the News International, PPP spokesperson Faisal Karim Kundi called the incident “unfortunate” and said that Alvi was unfit for the presidency since he was unaware of what was going on in the country.

I don’t think someone like that belongs in the Oval Office. This person is in the dark about what is going on. According to the PPP leader, “he has no idea who has gone around him.”

PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman released a statement saying that the event casts doubt on Alvi’s competence to serve as president.

Rehman asked, “Is he trying to say that someone else signed the bills under from under his nose?” and suggested that, if so, the president should step down.

PML-N leader and ex-finance minister Ishaq Dar called Alvi’s statement “unbelievable” and demanded his resignation in a post on X, as reported by The News International.

The finance minister, whose government’s tenure ended earlier this month, said, “Minimum morality warrants Alvi sb to resign, having failed to run his office effectively, efficiently and as per Rules of Business.”

Official work is done on files, and implementation is guaranteed; such claims are only an attempt to play to an audience. The former head of finance cried out, “God help us!”

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Law and Justice, the president has the choice to either sign or veto legislation delivered to him under Article 75 of the Constitution.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “There is no third under Article 75,” explaining that President Alvi had failed to carry out his responsibilities under Article 75.
Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill and Pakistan Army, according to Pakistani media.

On Sunday, the (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was signed by President Arif Alvi, making it law. However, on X, Alvi indicated that he did not sign the bill because he did not agree with it.

Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 and Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023: “As God is my witness, I did not sign these bills because I strongly disagree with them. In order to render the bills useless, I requested that my staff send them back within the required time frame without being signed. I asked them again if they had been returned, and each time they said yes.

Unfortunately, I learned today that some of my employees have been working to undermine my authority. Since Allah is all-knowing, He will surely pardon IA. However, I beg pardon from those who may be adversely affected,” Pakistani President Arif Alvi posted on X (previously Twitter).

The president tweeted that he had instructed his staff to send the bills back within the allotted time without his signature, rendering them useless.

He said he asked his employees for confirmation that the bills had been paid, and he was told that they had.The Pakistani leader was disappointed to learn that “my staff undermined my will and command” earlier today.

Both proposals received National Assembly approval before being introduced to the Senate. The Senate chairman submitted the legislation to the standing committee after hearing the treasury members’ criticisms, as reported by the Express Tribune.

Some contentious provisions were later removed from the two proposals before they were reintroduced in the Senate. After passing, the measures were delivered to President Alvi for signature; however, Alvi later denied signing any of them.

The Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, as reported by the Express Tribune, would make it illegal for anybody to wilfully disrupt public safety or wage war against the government.

In addition, it is illegal to assault or harm a restricted area if doing so is intended to provide direct or indirect aid to the adversary.

According to the proposed modification, the trial of the accused will take place in a dedicated court, and a decision will be rendered within 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing.

According to the Express Tribune, there are retirement provisions under the Army Act.

The law states that military personnel are prohibited from engaging in any political activity for a period of two years following retirement, resignation, or dismissal, and that military personnel or officers engaged in sensitive nature of duty are prohibited from engaging in any political activity for a period of five years following termination of service.

If a former army officer is found guilty of breaking the Army Act, he or she faces up to two years in prison. According to the Express Tribune, the Electronic Crimes Act will be enforced against any active or former military member who defames or mocks the military online or on social media.

Any officer, active or retired, who violates the Army Act and causes defamation of the military or fosters hatred against it is subject to two years in prison and a fine.