ISLAMABAD: Senator Raza Rabbani suggested Monday that the Senate investigate President Arif Alvi’s claim that presidential staffers “undermined” his command.
The former Senate chairman noted that if an inquiry launched, the president will have to come before an upper house committee because he is a parliamentarian under Article 50 of the Constitution.
The scandal began on Sunday when President Alvi revealed that he had refused to sign two legislation that would give authorities more ability to prosecute people for activities against the state and military, which the law ministry called unlawful.
The president posted on his own social media account, “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,” sparking a debate on Article 75.
He asked his staff to send the bills unsigned to the legislature before the deadline to render them ineffectual.
“However I have found out today that my staff undermined my will and command,” the president said.
Rabbani, a legal expert, claimed Alvi’s tweet inappropriate in the Sindh High Court today.
The president is the head of state; he could have returned the bills legitimately under Article 75, as he did earlier laws.
“Neither did he want to sign nor comment on the bills. What’s this?
The veteran politician suggested the president should go before a Senate committee under Article 50 of the Constitution as part of parliament.
He said the cops involved should appear and this committee should investigate and find the truth.
If it is proven that the president made a false statement, legal action can be taken.”
Rabbani said, “It is not yet clear whether the president has signed them or not. He is apologies to anyone harmed and claims he did not sign.
He stated this is apparent in Article 75 of the Constitution
“Anything can happen during the current circumstances,” the PPP leader remarked if the president claims he did not post the remarks on X, formerly Twitter.
Rabbani noted that Alvi’s term ends on September 9 and the Senate can investigate him.
“If the Senate finds President Alvi made a false statement, he should be punished.”
The president’s impeachment is different, but the Senate can investigate, he said.
