Pakistani President Arif Alvi announced on Sunday his refusal to sign two controversial bills that critics argue would stifle dissent and grant authorities increased power to prosecute individuals for actions against the military and national security.
In a statement posted on the platform formerly known as Twitter, Alvi asserted, “I did not endorse the Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 & Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 due to my disagreement with these legislations.”
These bills, passed by the Pakistani parliament just prior to its dissolution on August 9 at the conclusion of its official term, required the president’s approval to be enacted as law in line with the Constitution.
Alvi disclosed, “I instructed my staff to return the bills unendorsed within the designated timeframe to render them ineffective. I verified multiple times with them whether the bills had been returned and was assured of their compliance.”
He added, “However, I have learned today that my directives were disregarded by my staff… I extend my apologies to those who may be affected.” The president, also holding the role of commander-in-chief of the Pakistan armed forces, suggested that one of his staff members might have forged his signature.
Legal experts view this revelation as a setback for the influential military, potentially plunging the nuclear-armed South Asian nation into a fresh constitutional crisis.
As per the constitution, if the president fails to sign or return legislation with observations or objections within 10 days of it passing through both houses of Pakistan’s parliament, it automatically becomes law.
The Ministry of Law and Justice challenged Alvi’s assertions, accusing him of deliberately delaying bill approval. In its statement, the ministry expressed concern over the president discrediting his own officials and urged him to take responsibility for his actions.
The bills referenced by Alvi criminalize the disclosure of information harmful to Pakistan’s security, while also granting intelligence agencies the power to carry out raids and detain civilians based on suspected legal violations.
Independent critics and the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, immediately rejected these laws upon their passage in parliament. They voiced apprehensions that these new legislations could erode civil liberties and further empower the military to suppress dissent under the guise of national security.
Farhatullah Babar, a former Pakistani senator and outspoken critic of military involvement in politics, hailed Alvi’s unexpected declaration. He sarcastically applauded the move and conveyed, “In fewer than 100 words, @ArifAlvi accomplished what no one else could in the past decade. An atomic bomb exploded. Apart from the immediate impact, its lasting radiation will continue to affect in the years to come… Regardless of the outcome, Alvi has earned significant respect from many.”
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, standing in for imprisoned PTI leader Imran Khan, was arrested by the federal investigation agency based on the amended law. The agency accused Qureshi of revealing official secrets and harming state interests while serving as foreign minister under Khan’s government.
Prior to assuming the presidency in 2018, Alvi was a prominent PTI figure when his party won the elections and formed a coalition government, with Khan as prime minister.
Khan, currently serving a three-year prison sentence in eastern Punjab province after being convicted on corruption charges, has also faced questioning for his alleged role in disclosing official information.
Deposed in April 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence motion, Khan claims that the military, in collusion with his political rivals, orchestrated his government’s downfall at the behest of the United States—accusations rejected by both Washington and Islamabad.
A nationwide crackdown on the PTI has resulted in the detention of thousands of its supporters. Over 100 individuals face trials in military courts for attacking army installations during anti-government protests in the preceding May.
The ousted prime minister, still the most popular politician in Pakistan according to public polls, alleges that the crackdown and controversial legislation are designed to crush his party, the country’s largest political force.
With the dissolution of the government and parliament after their mandated terms, Pakistan installed a caretaker government a week ago under then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, succeeding Khan.
Critics argue that a series of bills hurriedly passed during the final weeks of the Sharif government have empowered the new caretaker administration to make policy decisions. This has fueled suspicions that the military intends to manage Pakistan through Kakar for an extended period, potentially foregoing elections within the constitutionally mandated 90-day limit.
The military has directly governed Pakistan for nearly half of its 76-year history, having orchestrated coups against elected civilian governments. Political figures and independent observers maintain that generals wield influence over policy matters even when not in formal power.