'Tumultuous Times' in Pakistan as President Denies Giving More Power to Army in Vexed Bills Scandal
President Dr Arif Alvi made a statement on Sunday using X (formerly Twitter) where he denied his approval of two bills that give more power to the country's military. He asked for forgiveness from those who will be affected by the bill if it becomes law. Sputnik has spoken with two political observers who shed light on the situation.
SputnikAs president and commander-in-chief of the military, Arif Alvi was presented with two bills in early August - the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill. The bills were drawn up in parliament following the chaos that erupted after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on 9 May.
Following the nationwide protests on 9 May, the army arrested thousands of people and many are now being tried in courts across the country for vandalizing military buildings.
The bills in question make it an offense to reveal the identities of military intelligence officers and also propose jail terms for defaming the army for up to five years, with a fine of up to one million rupees.
Now, because the president is denying
approving them, the legality of the two laws could be called into question.
What Did President Say?
In a tweet on Sunday, President Alvi said that he was kept in the dark by the presidential staff, who did not return the said “unsigned” bills despite repeated directives.
"As God is my witness, I did not sign the Official Secrets Amendment Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Army Amendment Bill, 2023 as I disagreed with these laws", the president tweeted. "However, I have found out today that my staff undermined my will and command, and I ask for forgiveness from those who will be affected by the development", the president said.
These revelations by the president have caused a stir in the country, sparking legal and social debate.
On Monday, following the president's allegations that his staff undermined his will regarding the bills, the President’s Secretariat said the services of the secretary to the president, Waqar Ahmed, were no longer required and would be replaced with Ms Humaira Ahmed, a BPS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, to be posted as the new secretary to the president.
However, the secretary, Waqar Ahmed, has denied any insubordination. According to him, he neither delayed the two bills nor committed any negligence.
Not Without Military’s Blessing
Sputnik India reached out to a political observer and writer, Parvez Salik, who explained that the situation highlights how the military establishment is taking the political situation under its control.
"It seems that the post of the president is a symbolic post because the prime minister and parliament have actual control and that is with the military's approval. Looking at the history of Pakistan, one can see that there was an exception only when General Pervez Musharraf who dismissed then-President Rafiq Tarar replaced him. Musharaf had full control and power because he was an army general who became the president. This highlights the power wielded by the armed forces", Salik explained.
According to the observer, even if President Arif Alvi did not sign the document, it is highly likely that it will become law.
"This is what the army wants and with no political leader to oppose it, it is a done deal. Anyone opposing their wishes is likely to be jailed, so unfortunately none of the current parties will stand up to the military force", the observer added.
No Presidential Consent, No Law?
As the legal debate over the president’s claims erupted, many lawyers have taken to social media to share their opinion on the matter.
Lawyer Basil Nabi Malik said the situation was “Troubling to say the least. Without his consent as president, it cannot be said that the bills in question have passed into law. Tumultuous times ahead”.
The military establishment has been in the limelight of the country for many months now. Its far-reaching influence made headlines even before the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is now serving a jail term in Attock prison.
Sputnik India discussed it with a senior political analyst based in Islamabad, who asked to remain anonymous.
"President Alvi's statements are definitely shocking for Pakistanis, but it is also embarrassing in front of the world. Now it seems like the office of the highest ranking official, a president who is also supreme commander in chief of the armed forces, has been breached. It is clear that only the military establishment can have such a reach", the analyst shared.
According to him, the army wields considerable control over the institutions in the country.
"Be it civil bureaucracy, parliament, senate, election commission, lower judiciary, higher judiciary, up to the supreme court level, all these institutions are being influenced by the military", the analyst opined.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf (PTI) leader Babar Awan asked Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to take
suo moto notice of President Alvi’s claims.
"The Constitution did not give anyone working under the president, be it the secretary or the peon, the right to either stop the implementation of a law or interfere or sabotage it. A very serious crime has taken place", Awan said, adding that this amounted to "constitutional insubordination" which would fall under Article 6 - high treason.