PTI to approach SC after Alvi’s claims

Spokesperson lauds president for taking ‘courageous stance’; declares unwavering support

LAHORE:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday announced its decision to approach the Supreme Court after President Arif Alvi revealed that he had denied signing bills amending the Official Secrets Act and the Pakistan Army Act after his staff “undermined his will and command”.

The party declared its unwavering support, pledging to back the president in legal proceedings and at the national level.

The PTI spokesperson expressed gratitude to President Alvi for his courageous stance in support of the Constitution, citizens' rights, and the security of democracy and parliament.

He emphasised that the president symbolises the federation, forms part of parliament, and holds supreme command of the armed forces.

Rendering the president's decisions ineffective or obstructing their execution is unconstitutional and unacceptable, the party asserted, resolving to approach the top court with a request for a thorough investigation and holding accountable all involved parties.

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

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 Alvi for his signature.

Taking to the social media platform X on Sunday, however, 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.

In its statement, the PTI through its spokesperson also reiterated the demand for a high-level inquiry into the “coded message” sent by Pakistan’s ambassador to America, calling for the establishment of a judicial commission.

“The PTI stands united with the president to uphold constitutional supremacy, safeguard democracy and rights, and cleanse the governmental system of corruption."

The spokesperson further highlighted that the president's stance on the legislative draft approval is a significant issue.

The revelation exposed a deep-rooted problem within the state structure.

Over the past 16 months, Pakistan has been witnessing a deviation from the Constitution, disregard for the law, and subjugation of the state to individual influences, the spokesperson stated.

The PTI criticised the detachment of the entire state apparatus, including parliament and the election commission, from allegiance to the Constitution. The party alleged that “clandestine influences” were controlling the country, resulting in lawlessness and coerced control over the media and the courts.

The PTI also accused the same mindset responsible for the installation of unlawful caretaker governments in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which deprived millions of Pakistanis of their voting rights in those provinces.

The party highlighted the arrest of former premier and PTI Chairman Imran Khan through a controversial court ruling, as well as authoritarian measures taken against numerous PTI leaders and members to suppress the party.

The spokesperson claimed that this sequence also included the amnesty granted to criminals through 'NRO-2' and amendments to the NAB law undermining the accountability system.