Pakistan

President Arif Alvi denies signing key laws

Islamabad: President Dr.Arif Alvi denied having signed two crucial pieces of legislation, Official Secrets Amendment Bill, and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill, 2023 – He claims that his betrayed him.

The Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023 had been granted ascent as they became law on saturday.

After the approval from the National Assembly, both bills were presented in the Senate. The treasury members criticised the bills, after which the Senate chairman referred the bills to the standing committee.

Later, some controversial clauses of the two bills were taken out and the bills were re-presented in the Senate. After approval, they were sent to President Dr. Arif Alvi for his signature.

While Taking to the social media platform X, President Alvi denied having approved the two laws.

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

He said that “I asked my staff to return the bills unsigned within the stipulated time to make them ineffective,”

He wrote on X that “I confirmed from them many times whether they have been returned and was assured that they were. However, I have found out today that my staff undermined my will and command”.

Web Desk