ISLAMABAD: The controversy surrounding the passage of two controversial bills deepened on Monday as an officer handpicked by President Arif Alvi refused to act as his principal secretary.
On Monday, Alvi requested the Prime Minister’s Office to remove Waqar Ahmed as his principal secretary and replace him with Grade 22 DMG officer Humira Ahmed, who is currently the federal secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division. are working as
A day after the shocking revelation that President Alvi did not sign the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2023, the President’s Secretariat said Waqar Ahmed’s services were no longer required and handed him over. has been given. Establishment Division with immediate effect.
Subsequently, in a letter to the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. Syed Tawqir Hussain Shah, a request was made to replace Waqar with Humira, who is a Grade 22 DMG officer.
Humira previously served as PSPR and chose to leave the assignment at her own request and was posted as Federal Secretary Science and Technology before moving to the National Heritage Division.
Meanwhile, sources say that no transfer and posting is possible without the permission of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) after the dissolution of the assemblies.
The massive transfers and appointments that took place three days ago included the reshuffling of provincial chief secretaries and a massive reshuffle of federal secretaries where about half a dozen senior officers were asked to report to the Establishment Division.
Removed official seeks inquiry
Hours after his dismissal, a secret letter emerged in which Waqar Ahmed clarified his position on the bills.
The official said that the President neither approved the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023 nor gave a written decision to send them back to Parliament for reconsideration.
Ahmed clarified that the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill was received on August 2 and sent to the President on August 3.
He added that President Alvi had 10 days till August 11 to advise on the bill.
The letter stated that “Honorable President neither approved the Bill nor gave written decision to return the Bill for reconsideration by the Parliament. The said file was returned to the office of the Secretary till today i.e. on 21.08-2023.” has not been done”.
Meanwhile, the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill was received on August 8 and moved to the President’s office on August 9.
“The note clearly stated that the Prime Minister’s advice was received on 08-08-2023 and the 10-day period would be completed on 17.08.2023 (Thursday)”, the letter also said.
However, the letter added that the President neither approved the bill nor gave a written decision to return the bill to Parliament for reconsideration.
The official added that he neither delayed the above two bills nor committed any irregularity or negligence. He added that the files of the bills are lying in the President’s office till today (August 21).
He said that the president’s decision to surrender his services is not based on justice.
He said, “I request the Honorable President to please order the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) or any other agency to investigate the facts and if there is any lapse by any officer or official, Determine responsibility.”
Ahmed added that he would present himself in court if required to prove his innocence.
“It is requested that the U.O. dated 21-08-2023 regarding transfer of my services to the Establishment Division be withdrawn,” he added.
The Presidency is yet to respond to the Principal Secretary’s response while the President’s Press Secretary was unavailable for comment on the development.
The controversy
On August 20, President Alvi revealed on the microblogging website X that he had not signed the two bills, sparking a major controversy in the country.
“As God is my witness, I did not sign the Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 because I did not agree with those laws,” President Alvi said on X.
“I asked my staff to return the unsigned bills within the stipulated time to render them ineffective. I confirmed with them several times whether they had been returned and were assured that They are.
“However, today I found out that my staff violated my will and order. As Allah knows all, He will forgive the IA. But I apologize to those who will be affected,” he said. added.
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. I asked my staff to return the bills unsigned within stipulated time to make them ineffective. I confirmed from them many times that…
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) August 20, 2023
A day later, the president surrendered his secretary’s services without explaining the controversy and the official’s role in it.
“In view of yesterday’s clear statement, the President’s Secretariat has written a letter to the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister that the services of Mr. Waqar Ahmed, Secretary to the President are no longer required and he will be transferred to the Establishment Division immediately”. Read a statement posted on the official account of the President of Pakistan on X.
In view of the definite statement of yesterday, President’s Secretariat has written a letter to Principal Secretary to Prime Minister that the services of Mr. Waqar Ahmed, Secretary to President, are no more required and are surrendered to the Establishment Division, immediately.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 21, 2023
According to reports, the amendment to the Army Act and the secret bill were sent to the President for his assent on August 2 and 8, respectively, and the lower house of Parliament was dissolved on the 9th of the same month, which expired the deadline. It was three days before it happened. The President decides on the bill.
It was reported on Saturday that the President had signed the bills approved by the National Assembly and the Senate after which both bills became law. However, on Sunday, the President refused to sign the bills.
