Rabbani accuses Alvi of unconstitutional actions

Former senator says outgoing president failed to uphold Constitution, violated provisions on multiple occasions

ISLAMABAD:

Raza Rabbani, the former Senate chairman, issued a scathing statement, highlighting a series of alleged unconstitutional actions taken by President Dr Arif Alvi as the latter’s term came to an end on Friday.

In his statement, Rabbani accused the outgoing president of failing to uphold the Constitution of 1973, and violating its provisions on multiple occasions.

Rabbani's statement outlined key allegations against President Alvi.

The former Senate chairman accused the president of promulgating ordinances without due consideration, violating Article 89(1) of the Constitution of 1973.

Rabbani alleged that President Alvi unlawfully appointed two members of the Election Commission of Pakistan, bypassing established procedures and the Constitution.

The statement pointed to the promulgation of the GIDC Ordinance against the judiciary and without inter-ministerial consultation.

President Alvi's re-promulgation of the PMDC Ordinance, which was previously rejected by the Senate under Article 89 of the Constitution, was also mentioned.

Rabbani criticised the president for filing references against two judges of the superior judiciary without proper consideration.

The former Senate chairman accused the president of maintaining “criminal silence” over the withdrawal of the prosecution case in a matter of high treason.

Rabbani highlighted several instances where the court decisions had set aside actions taken by the president, including the ones related to the Competition Commission of Pakistan, PMDC Ordinance, Justice Qazi Faiz Isa's reference, NFC notification, and the removal of the ombudsman.

The statement included accusations related to the president's actions concerning Article 63A, the dissolution of the National Assembly, refusal to administer oath to the prime minister-elect, failure to act on the Prime minister's advice for removal of the Punjab governor, and the nomination of a person to administer oath to the chief minister.

Rabbani claimed that President Alvi failed to fulfil his constitutional duty under Article 75 by neither assenting to nor returning two bills to parliament, instead shifting the blame to the staff of the Presidency.

Lastly, the former Senate chairman accused the president of misinterpreting Article 48 of the Constitution in the announcement of the general election date.

President Alvi's term ended on Friday, and these allegations by Rabbani add a contentious layer to his legacy as the head of state.