ISLAMABAD: According to Today News, President Dr. Arif Alvi has rejected signing the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
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. I asked my staff to return the bills unsigned within stipulated time to make them ineffective. I confirmed from them many times that…
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) August 20, 2023
“I instructed my staff to return the bills unsigned within the time frame specified in order to render them ineffective.” I asked them several times whether they had been returned and was promised that they had. However, I discovered today that my employees had undercut my will and leadership. Allah, who knows everything, will forgive IA. But I beg pardon from those who will be affected,” Arif wrote on X.
President Arif Alvi was reported to have signed the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 on Saturday.
Both legislation were passed by parliament during the coalition government’s duration and were forwarded to President Alvi for confirmation.