Pakistan President Arif Alvi Takes Bold Action: Sacks Secretary and Denies Signing Key Bills
President Arif Alvi of Pakistan has sacked his secretary, Waqar Ahmed, after denying that he personally signed key bills. The government has established a special court and arrested a former foreign minister under the Official Secrets Act.
Pakistan President Arif Alvi has sacked his secretary, Waqar Ahmed, just a day after denying that he personally signed two key bills. President Alvi stated that he had instructed his staff to return the bills unsigned within the stipulated time to render them ineffective.
The President's Secretariat has confirmed the replacement of Secretary Waqar Ahmed, stating that his services are no longer required. In his place, Humaira Ahmed, a BPS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, has been appointed as the new Secretary to the President.
The decision to remove Secretary Waqar comes after President Alvi expressed his disagreement with the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, both of which were signed into law. President Alvi claimed that his staff undermined his will and command by not returning the bills unsigned as instructed.
The president's unprecedented claims caused a furore, with many calling for action. Babar Awan, a leader of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf party, requested Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to take suo moto action, stating that this amounted to constitutional insubordination and high treason.
In response to the controversy, the Pakistan government established a special court to hear cases filed under the Official Secrets Act. Former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a close aide of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, was arrested under the same act for his alleged involvement in the leakage of a confidential diplomatic cable.
This move showcases the seriousness with which the government is addressing the issue. The president's secretariat in Pakistan is divided into two sets of departments: the "Internal Wing" and the "External Wing." The "External Wing," headed by the senior-most bureaucratic officer who serves as the secretary to the president, is responsible for managing legislative matters and processes.
Bills pass through this chain of command before reaching the president's desk. If the president approves a bill, it is considered completed; otherwise, the file is returned with a "disapproved" stamp. The two bills in question, the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, entail significant implications.
The Official Secrets Bill allows the prosecution of individuals found guilty of causing a public disorder or acting against the state in a special court, with a decision required within 30 days. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army Bill prohibits military personnel from engaging in political activities for two years after retirement. Offenders will face a two-year prison sentence.
The bill also aims to combat defamation and the spread of hatred against the army, prescribing a two-year imprisonment under the Army Act. Overall, President Alvi's decision to dismiss his secretary and his denial of signing the bills have sparked controversy and led to calls for action.
The establishment of a special court and the arrest of a former foreign minister under the Official Secrets Act demonstrate the seriousness with which the government is treating the matter. The appointment of a new secretary to the president indicates a restructuring within the president's secretariat.