President Alvi denies signing Official Secrets, Army Act amendment bills

Alvi’s revelations came on microblogging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, a day after he had reportedly assented to the two bills.

“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,” President Alvi said on X.

“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,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that two PTI leaders — Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Imran Khan — were arrested after a first information report (FIR) was registered against them under Official Secrets Act for disclosing the contents of the diplomatic cipher for political gains on August 15.

Following President Alvi revelations, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressed its deep concerns, saying that his post was unusual, alarming, and unimaginable from every aspect.

“The president’s tweet has exposed to the nation the deadliest infection spreading from top to bottom in the state system,” the PTI wrote on its official X account.

It added that the party spokesperson would respond after reviewing President Alvi’s post in detail.