Caretaker Inormation and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Sunday said a clarification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice had removed the ambiguity created by a statement posted by President Dr. Arif Alvi on its personal account on X (formerly known Twitter) regarding signing of two legislations.
In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Alvi said: “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 said he asked his staff to return the bills unsigned within the stipulated time to make them “uneffective”.
“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 said.
Meanwhile, the law ministry issued a news release and expressed “grave concern” over the president’s post.
“As per Article 75 of the Constitution, when a bill is sent for assent, the president has two options: either give assent, or refer the matter to the parliament with specific observations. Article 75 does not provide for any third option,” it said in a news release.
It noted that in the instant matter, neither of the requirements were fullfiled. “Instead, the President purposely delayed the assent,” it alleged. “Returning the bills without any observations or assent is not provided for in the Constitution. Such a course of action is against the letter and spirit of the Constitution,” it added.
It said if the president had any observations, he could have returned the bills with his observations like he did in the recent and distant past. “He could have also issued a press release to that effect.
It is a matter of concern that the president has chosen to discredit his own officials. The president should take responsibility for his own actions,“ it concluded.
Today, Caretaker Minister for Law and justice Ahmed Irfan Aslam along with the information minister held a news conference and echoed same stance regarding the President’s tweet.
However, the information minister said there was no need to politicize the caretaker government’s efforts, that were aimed at removing ambiguity on important matters.
“The President is a head of the state, and his position demands respect. No one should expect that we would speak against the respect of the President,” said Murtaza Solangi.
He said the President had posted a statement on the X about the two bills, sent by the Parliament, from his personal account on the platform, which might have created some sort of confusion, but did not cause any upheaval.
However, it was imperative to remove confusion on the matter and the Law Ministry had issued a statement in this regard, he added.
To a query, Solangi said he did not have any knowledge about the President’s intentions and desires, particularly concerning his continuation in office.
Institutions existed in the country for enforcement of laws, and a complete system was in place to ensure provision of rights to citizens and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and laws, the minister said in response to another question.
He stressed that the caretaker government was fully committed to upholding the constitution and would not engage in any actions that violated the laws.
With a clear understanding that their mandate is not political in nature, Murtaza said the caretaker government would refrain from engaging in any political discussions.
Solangi said there were no loopholes in the government system, and the present caretaker set up has been functioning within the framework of the constitution.
In case any attempt was made to create confusion on national issues, he said the response would be given which would strictly be adhered to the boundaries defined by the constitution and law.
