ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has denied signing Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Arif Alvi took to X, formerly known as Twitter, Arif Alvi said God is his witness that he did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 & Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 as he 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 whether they have been returned & was assured that they were. However I have found out today that my staff undermined my will and command. As Allah knows all, He will forgive IA. But I ask forgiveness from those who will be effected,” Arif said in his post on X.
میں اللّٰہ کو گواہ بنا کر کہتا ہوں کہ میں نے آفیشل سیکرٹس ترمیمی بل 2023 اور پاکستان آرمی ترمیمی بل 2023 پر دستخط نہیں کیے کیونکہ میں ان قوانین سے متفق نہیں تھا۔ میں نے اپنے عملے سے کہا کہ وہ بغیر دستخط شدہ بلوں کو مقررہ وقت کے اندر واپس کر دیں تاکہ انہیں غیر موثر بنایا جا سکے۔…
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) August 20, 2023
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Read more: President Alvi signs Army Act amendment, Official Secrets Act bills
On Saturday, it was reported that President Arif Alvi signed the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Both the bills were passed by the parliament during the tenure of the coalition government and were sent to President Alvi for ratification.
