Pakistan Prez Alvi denies claims of approving change in army acts, secret laws; govt expresses 'grave concern'

Pakistan President Arif Alvi, on Sunday (August 20), deniedclaims that he signed two pieces of legislation to become acts of parliament as he “disagreed with these laws”. This comes after the country’s media reported that the president has given his assent to the Of­­ficial Secrets (Amend­m­ent) Bill 2023 and the Pakistan Army (Amend­ment) Bill 2023.

What did the Pakistan president say?

The Pakistan president issued the statement amid media reports of him approving the bills, on Saturday. This was weeks after the bills were approved by the Senate and National Assembly and were sent for Alvi’s final signature.

“I did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 & Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 as I disagreed with these laws. I asked my staff to return the bills unsigned within stipulated time to make them ineffective,” said Alvi, on X (formerly Twitter).

He added, “I confirmed from them many times that whether they have been returned and 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 Insha’Allah. But I ask forgiveness from those who will be affected.”

What are the proposed changes?

The proposed section 6-A of the Secrets Act would make unauthorised disclosure of the identities of members of intelligence agencies, informants or sources, an offence, as per Dawn. The offence would be punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to Pakistani rupee 10 million ($33,759).

Meanwhile, the Army Act would make disclosing any information, acquired in an official capacity that is or may be prejudicial to the security and interest of Pakistan or the armed forces, punishable by up to five years imprisonment.

As per Pakistan media reports, one of the amendments in the act also grants more powers to the army chief and would prevent ex-servicemen from engaging in politics or opting for ventures that may be perceived as conflict with the army’s interest.

The bill also proposes imprisonment for defamation of the army. The proposed law would also forbid any person who has been subjected to the Army Act from engaging in any kind of political activity for two years from the date of their “retirement, release, resignation, discharge, removal or dismissal from the service,” as per the Dawn.

Pakistan government expresses 'grave concern'

After the Pakistan president's post on X, the Ministry of Law and Justice released a statement saying that they hadnoted the post with "grave concern". "As per Article 75 of the Constitution, when a Bill is sent for assent, the President has two options: either give assent, or refer the matter to the parliament with specific observations. Article 75 does not provide for any third option," it added.

It also said that in this caseneither of the requirements were fulfilled and the president instead "purposely delayed the assent." The ministry also noted that returning the bills without anyobservations or assent was unconstitutional.

"If the President had any observations, he could have returned the bills with his observations like he did in the recent and distant past. He could have also issued a press release to that effect.It is a matter of concern that the President has chosen to discredit his own officials," said the Pakistan government.

It added, "The President should take responsibility for his own actions."

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