ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday handed over the services of his secretary Waqar Ahmed to the Establishment Division as the controversy over the signing of bills related to the Official Secrets Act and the Army Act intensified.
The President announced the development on social media platform X, which was earlier shared on Twitter, saying: “In view of yesterday’s definitive statement, the President’s Secretariat has written a letter to the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister that the President’s Secretary The services of Mr. Waqar Ahmed are no longer required and he has been immediately transferred to the Establishment Division.
He also demanded the appointment of BPS-22 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service Humira Ahmed as the Secretary to the President.
A day ago President Alvi said that he did not sign the Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 because he did not agree with these laws.
On the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, the president said he had asked his staff to return the unsigned bills within a specified time to render them ineffective.
“I confirmed with them several times whether they had been returned and was assured that they were. However, I found out today that my staff undermined my will and orders,” the president added.
This statement comes after it was revealed that the President has signed both the bills.
On July 31, the National Assembly passed the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to make disclosure of sensitive information related to national security or the armed forces punishable by up to five years in prison.
Separately, the Official Secrets Act was approved by the Lower House on August 7, days before the dissolution of the National Assembly.
