President Alvi says he ‘stands by’ his claim of not assenting to Army, Official Secrets Act

President Dr Arif Alvi reiterated on Wednesday that he did not assent to the amendments to the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act.

The president had claimed in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he had not assented to the controversial bills — a day after they became acts of parliament.

“As God is my witness, I did not sign Official Sec­rets Amendment Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Army Ame­ndment Bill, 2023 as I disagreed with these laws,” the president had said.

He had also claimed that he had asked his staff to return the bills unsigned within the stipulated time to make them “ineffective”, but his staff did not do so and lied that the bills had been returned.

A day after the tweet, the president had sought to replace his principal secretary, Waqar Ahmed, who had denied any wrongdoing. However, senior bureaucrats in the presidency had refused to take up Ahmed’s position in what was described as a “revolt-like situation”.

During an interview on Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’ on Wednesday night, host Hamid Mir asked Alvi asked about his principal secretary’s stance.

“I tweeted what happened and I stand by it. When I removed the principal secretary, I had written that I stand by my statement,” the president replied, adding that no inquiry was conducted into the matter.

Alvi said that he had formed a judgement based on daily matters and subsequently wrote to the principal secretary. He stated that he had also sent a letter to the establishment and government regarding the same, saying that he stood by his statement.

“Whenever it is seen, it will be very clear,” he added, without elaborating further.

‘Not sure about elections in January’

To a question about elections, President Alvi said he did not see general elections taking place in the last week of January 2024, announced by the electoral watchdog.

“I’m not sure about the elections being held in January. However, I’m hopeful that the judiciary will ensure the polls are not delayed further,” he said.

The president recalled the various “efforts” he had made for the polls, including writing to the ECP and suggesting an election cut-off date.

But, the president highlighted, the law ministry had told him that it was not his prerogative.

In response to a question regarding the elections amendment bill — that grants the caretaker government powers to take actions or decisions regarding existing bilateral or multilateral agreements and projects — the president noted that he was out of the country for Hajj when the law was assented to.

“The acting president (Sadiq Sanjrani) had already signed that amendment,” he recalled. “If I was in the President’s House [at that time], I would not have signed the law.”

‘Imran is a patriot’

When asked about PTI defections following the May 9 riots, he said: “I am extremely disappointed. A lot of people I know are going through this. I am saying once again very emphatically that I have been associated with PTI for years.

“I have always found Imran financially honest. There are very few people who will accuse him of financial dishonesty […] I believe that he is a patriot, I have no doubt about it, ever,” Alvi said.

He recalled that he had condemned the May 9 incident but at the same time wanted the way forward to be “open”.

In response to a question on reports of Imran’s alleged displeasure with Alvi, the president said the PTI chief “keeps an eye on me”.

“When I was on Haj, someone told him that I was taking 27 government employees with me. He sent a message to me through someone [asking] ‘what is going on’. But I went with my wife and kids at our own expense. But he keeps an eye on me as a friend and well-wisher.”

President Alvi said his loyalties lied with Imran, saying: “Even today, he is my leader.” When asked again, he reaffirmed it.