‘Bills become law if president does not take any position in 10 days,’ Interim govt reacts to President’s tweet

Islamabad: Caretaker Federal Law Minister Ahmed Irfan Aslam said that the president is bound to take a position within ten days regarding any bill sent to him.

Ahmed Irfan Aslam said that the bills turned into the laws as the ten days period given under the Constitution lapsed.

“These bills will automatically become laws if the president does not take any side within ten-day time,” said the federal law minister while addressing a press conference on Sunday.  Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi was also present there.

Mr. Aslam said that the caretaker government did not have any political agenda.   

Earlier in the day, President Dr. Arif Alvi expressed his disagreement with the Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023, stating that he chose not to sign them. He revealed on a social media platform referred to as X (formerly Twitter) that he instructed his staff to return the bills within the specified timeframe, rendering them ineffective.

He mentioned, “I repeatedly confirmed with them whether the bills were returned and received assurances that they were. However, I recently discovered that my staff disregarded my instructions and wishes,”.

The president also acknowledged, “While Allah is all-knowing and forgiving, I seek forgiveness from those who will be affected by this."

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

On July 31, the National Assembly approved the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aimed at imposing a potential five-year prison sentence on individuals revealing sensitive information related to national security or the armed forces.

Additionally, the Official Secrets Act received approval from the Lower House shortly before the dissolution of the National Assembly on August 7.