In an unexpected development, President Arif Alvi made a stunning claim on Sunday, asserting that he had not signed two contentious bills that had recently been passed.
The bills, which amended the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act, were a subject of public debate and opposition criticism.
President Alvi disclosed on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that he disagreed with these laws and had urged his staff to return the bills unsigned within the stipulated time to render them ineffective.
The President expressed deep concern over his staff’s alleged mishandling of the situation, suggesting that his will and instructions had been undermined.
He sought forgiveness from those who might be adversely affected, while expressing his belief that divine understanding would prevail.
“I confirmed from them many times that 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. As Allah knows all, He will forgive Insha’Allah. But I ask forgiveness from those who will be affected,” the president posted on X.
Notably, the President House has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter.
A day earlier, the media reports suggested that the President had previously given his assent to both the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, thereby turning them into enforceable legislation.
The Senate and National Assembly had previously endorsed both bills, although they had faced criticism from opposition members.
The amended Official Secrets Act’s Section 6-A introduces a new offense relating to unauthorized disclosure of intelligence agency members’ identities, informants, or sources. This act carries a potential penalty of up to three years in prison and a fine of up to Rs10 million.
Meanwhile, changes to the Army Act encompass severe penalties of up to five years in rigorous imprisonment for disclosing information that could compromise Pakistan’s security or armed forces’ interests.
This revelation comes on the heels of the arrest of PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, tied to an FIR filed under the Official Secrets Act against PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
The case, spurred by the publication of a diplomatic cable in an American news outlet, has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing political landscape, with implications that could shape the nation’s future trajectory.
