As Pakistan grappled with an escalating crisis, the beleaguered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party swiftly declared its intention to navigate the legal terrain, setting its sights on the Supreme Court. The focal point of this move was to unmask those believed to have undermined President Arif Alvi’s authority and directives.
The trigger for this decisive action was President Alvi’s recent announcement on the microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), where he disclosed his refusal to endorse the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2023. In his candid statement, President Alvi attributed his stance to disagreements with these legislative amendments and expressed regret over alleged staff insubordination.
Read more : Arif Alvi Denies Signing Army Act ,Blames Staff For Undermining His Authority
Amidst the tumult, PTI’s pledge of unwavering support to the head of state was a prominent aspect of their response. This encompassed not only the national level but also extended to the judiciary.
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
As part of their proactive stance, PTI vowed to engage Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to unravel the truth behind the contentious issue and to hold accountable those who were allegedly responsible for disregarding the president’s directives. The party underscored the gravity of the president’s stance on significant legal drafts, underscoring the weight of his opinions in this crucial matter.
The implications of this development were substantial, as PTI emphasized the president’s role as a unifying symbol of the federation, a key figure within the parliament, and the supreme commander of the Pakistan Army. According to the party’s assertions, any failure to implement the president’s directives was deemed unconstitutional and untenable. PTI’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution culminated in their resolve to approach the apex court, harnessing judicial intervention to navigate this complex issue and ensure the proper functioning of the country’s legal framework.