President House removes Arif Alvi’s secretary from office

Islamabad: The President House has written to the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary to transfer the President's Secretary's services to the Establishment Division.

The letter demands that Waqar Ahmed, the president's secretary, immediately turn over his services to the Establishment Division as they are no longer needed.

It also implies that Humaira Ahmed, a BPS-22 officer in the Pakistan Administrative Service, would be appointed as the president's secretary.

According to the letter, Waqar Ahmed's services have been given up in light of the Sunday remark by President Arif Alvi.

Earlier, President Dr. Arif Alvi has denied signing Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 on Sunday.

Alvi spoke with X, formerly known as Twitter, and declared that God is his witness that he did not sign the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 or the Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 because he did not agree 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 whether they have been returned & 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 IA. But I ask forgiveness from those who will be affected,” Arif said in his post on X.

The Pakistan Army Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, were reportedly signed by President Arif Alvi on Saturday.

During the coalition government's term in office, both legislations were approved by the parliament and forwarded to President Alvi for ratification.