Pakistan: President Denies Signing Pro-Military Laws

Facts

• On Sunday, Pakistani Pres. Arif Alvi denied giving his approval to ink two national security bills — which reportedly give the country's military more powers — into law.¹
• Blaming his staff for undermining his will and command, Alvi alleged that he returned the bills unsigned, but they didn't reach the Parliament within the constitutionally stipulated 10-day timeframe despite his repeated calls.²
• Following the controversy, Alvi's principal secretary, Waqar Ahmed, was requested to be removed on Monday. Hours later, Ahmed claimed that the files of the bills were still lying in Alvi's office.³
• Pakistan's Parliament passed the controversial bills just before it was dissolved on Aug. 9. But the bills required the president's signature to become law.⁴
• While the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill reportedly grants blanket powers to spy agencies, the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill imposes rigorous imprisonment for anyone disclosing sensitive information related to national security.⁵
• The revelation comes as the vice-chairman of Alvi's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and close associate to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, was arrested on Saturday over his involvement in a diplomatic cipher for personal gains.⁶

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²The Express Tribune, ³GEO, ⁴VOA, ⁵Brecorder and ⁶Independent.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by ARY NEWS. Pakistan's state machinery continues to violate the Constitution in collusion with Parliament and the electoral authority. After backing unconstitutional caretaker governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, it has now taken the outrageous decision to sideline the symbol of the federation and supreme commander, undermining his will not to sign bills he disagrees with.
• Narrative B, as provided by News. Despite his best efforts, Alvi's principal secretary called the president's bluff, claiming evidence to prove his innocence and requesting an inquiry to investigate the facts of the case and fix the responsibility. Given that responding to a bluff with another bluff is an unwise move for someone risking removal from service, it's unlikely that Ahmed is lying.
• Narrative C, as provided by Hindustan Times. As the political turmoil in Pakistan reaches new low after another, the security situation in the country is increasingly perilous. With Islamic State Khorasan Province — active in both Pakistan and Afghanistan — expanding its influence, India must closely follow this threat and prepare a contingency strategy to counter threats emanating from its longtime rival.