Govt to try President Alvi, ex-PM Imran under Article 6 for ‘violating Constitution’

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Tuesday said that the "neutrals" of the country should always remain neutral and backed the idea of appointing an army chief before November considering the prevailing political crisis in the country.

The president was asked "is it not a good option to appoint the chief before the set time" to which he said, "not a bad idea".

He said that this "elephant in the room is not new; it has been there for the last 50 years".

"This is a ground reality and can be solved through dialogue," Alvi said in a rare chat with journalists.

On a question of a grand dialogue between the political parties to end the crisis, Alvi said as president he does not have the constitutional role to ask stakeholders to hold talks.

"It is only possible if all the stakeholders agree to it and then the President House can play a role," he said, as calls grow in the country for negotiations amid reports that the establishment is mulling a "soft intervention".

He added that he is asked to "play his role" in the assistance of any of the services chiefs but "I can not do that."

Echoing his party leader Imran Khan, Alvi said in the case of a changing situation one must also change their opinion.

The president said he is against the presidential power to dissolve assemblies under Article 58 2(b) - the provision which has not been removed from the constitution through the 18th Amendment.

"A parliamentary system of governance is the best," he said.

In response to a question, President Arif Alvi said "neutrals should always remain neutral".

About a presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa, which was quashed by the Supreme Court, Alvi said the reference was sent to him and he forwarded it.

It is pertinent to note that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had admitted that it was a mistake to file the case against the SC judge.

Relationship with Shahbaz govt

While speaking about his relationship with the government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, he said it is wrong to say that his ties with the PM are not good.

Alvi said since the new government came into power it sent me 74 summaries and "I returned 69 of them with my assent the same day".

"Only summaries related to NAB ordinance, EVM machines and governor Punjab were withheld and there was no pressure on me to do so."

The president said that he has certain questions in mind that he wanted clarifications on. He also denied that PTI Chairman Imran Khan had any role in the matter.

Last contact with Imran Khan

President Arif Alvi said that the last time he talked with his party chairman was during the Punjab governor issue. "I communicate with Imran Khan on WhatsApp."

Article 6

Commenting on a Supreme Court judge's note in the case of former NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri's ruling during the chief minister of Punjab election, Alvi said he did not violate the constitution or commit treason.

"Charge whoever committed treason under Article 6."

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/9...alvi-on-appointing-army-chief-before-november

 

[MenInG]

The Supreme Court on Thursday raised questions on the maintainability of a petition against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Imran Khan, for “inciting the people against state institutions”.

A division bench of the SC led by Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan heard the petition filed by lawyer namely Qosain Faisal who had sought the apex court’s directions to the party's leaders, including Imran Khan, to stop giving statements against the institutions and establish a commission to take further action against the party leaders.

During the proceeding this morning, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan asked the petitioner counsel Hassan Raza Pasha which of the fundamental rights are violated. “Which law is violated by respondents,” the court asked while also questioning why the petitioner did not approach relevant forum to redress his grievances.

Read ECP refutes claim it issued two verdicts in PTI funding case

The SC judge also asked how the case is a matter of public importance. “Could the court intervene in a matter under Article 184/3 out of public interest against private persons?” questioned the judge.

"Why should the court hear this case?"Justice Ijazul Ahsan questioned, to which advocate Faisal responded by saying that " Imran Khan and other leaders made derogatory statements against the supreme judiciary, the Election Commission, and the armed forces".

However, Justice Yahya Afridi maintained that the lawyers' argument remained unclear. "Have the courts been rendered weak following someone's comments?" he retorted.

"The SC has the authority to evoke Article 204 in contempt of court. Whenever the court deems it appropriate, it will take notice itself and take action," said Justice Afridi.

"Your job was to inform the court, you have done so, that is it," he continued.

"It would have been appropriate for you to have gone to another forum for proceedings," the judge remarked.

"The petitioner is a Pakistani citizen and his sentiments were hurt by the statements made against the institutions," responded the lawyer.

"Will the court now take action if someone's feelings are hurt?" retorted Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

The bench also asked the petitioner to submit transcripts and relevant material to establish that respondents gave statements against state institutions.

Commenting on the matter, Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that "the statements may have been reported on the media", he remarked "only a handful are reporting correctly these days".

"The court must be made aware of why it should intervene in such cases," said Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

Subsequently, the counsel sought time. At his request, the matter is adjourned until the first week of September.

'Attack' on ECP

Earlier in July, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had taken notice of the recent allegations hurled against it by PTI chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan and sought footage of his recent speeches from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) chairman.

The rift between the election commission and PTI has been ongoing for several months. While the ECP maintains it is unbiased, Imran Khan and other party leaders have repeatedly alleged foul play. Matters came to heads during the Punjab by-polls that ultimately brought the party back into power in Punjab.

The ECP had rejected former prime minister Imran Khan’s allegations that the electoral watchdog chief Sikandar Sultan Raja “tried to rig” Punjab by-polls to favour the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Meanwhile, the ruling coalition leaders have alleged that Imran Khan's "attack" on the ECP was not because of any rigging as it did not happen but over fears of the adverse verdict in a foreign funding case.

Two days after the ECP issued show-cause notices to the PTI in the prohibited funding case, PTI chairman Imran Khan said the “neutrals” – apparently a reference to the security establishment – had guaranteed that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja was the right man for the job.

In an interview with BBC Urdu published on Wednesday, the ex-premier regretted having made this decision, adding that the PTI would approach the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against the decision of the ECP and CEC.

He maintained that Raja’s name came up during the deadlock for the post of the CEC during his tenure.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan had called for a ‘peaceful protest’ outside the ECP on August 4 – a move Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday had warned the PTI against.

 

[MenInG]

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has seized records of hundreds of fake bank accounts through which millions of rupees were transferred to bank accounts of President Arif Alvi, PTI leader Asad Umar, and others including Hamid Zaman, Manzoor Chaudhary and Tariq Shafi.

According to FIA, some of the accounts were opened in the name of local companies and religious trusts but the money was used for political purposes.

The investigation agency has sent the preliminary investigation report to the DG FIA.

The investigating agency also sought help from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for further investigation, while the record of hundreds of accounts from different banks in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad were seized.

The records of funds coming from foreign countries have also been confiscated and notices have been issued to these companies as well.

As per the preliminary investigation, money was transferred from fake bank accounts of PTI to President Alvi in ​​2013. The FIA report said Alvi had opened a bank account without the permission of PTI’s central finance board and the funds were also transferred to PTI leader Faisal Vawda using the same account.

A local company funding the former ruling party also turned out to be fake, as per the report.

The owner of the company, which donated Rs3 million to the PTI, expressed ignorance about funding any political party.

Millions of rupees were also transferred to PTI leader Asad Umar from the account of PTI Islamabad while the party received funds of $1.3 million from Wootton Cricket Limited Dubai in the same account.

A transfer of Rs2.5 million from an account opened in the name of religious trust to PTI Lahore was also detected.

The money, received for the flood victims, was used for political purposes, said the FIA report.

The FIA issued notices to Tariq Shafi, Hamid Zaman and Manzoor Chaudhry. Tariq Shafi's name is already on the no-fly list.

Express Tribune

 

[daytrader]

President Alvi and Ramiz Raja at the Pakistan vs India 3rd T20I

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani said on Sunday that President Arif Alvi should stop trying to create political space for himself as this is in violation of the 1973 Constitution.

The former chairman Senate maintained that the president is not acceptable to political stakeholders for a political dialogue because he is “not an honest broker”.

In a press statement, Rabbani furthered that Alvi is the last person to talk on the appointment of the chief of army staff (COAS), considering the fiasco he and his government made the last time this appointment was made.

While referencing a presidential reference seeking Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s removal on account of alleged misconduct, the senator said the president can’t be part of an institutional dialogue because of the “mala fide references” sent by him.

Read SC judges urge parliament to initiate Article 6 against Imran, President Alvi, others

“Under the constitutional framework the president has no such role nor will the Parliament allow him to toy with the Constitution, 1973,” he added.

The PPP senior leader further stated that if the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) had the required members in the National Assembly it shoukd have impeached Alvi.

He added that the president’s impeachment should be based on the following grounds: circumventing the parliament by promulgation of Ordinances, sending references with mala fide intent against judges of the superior judiciary, making legally flawed appointments on the advice of the prime minister in autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies which were struck down by courts, appointment of a member from Balochistan to the National Finance Commission that was set aside by the Balochistan High Court, removal of the ombudsman that was set aside by the Islamabad High Court, dissolving the National Assembly on the advice of a premier suffering under a disqualification under Article 95, Constitution, 1973 and under a false pretext failed to perform his constitutional obligation of administration of taking the oath of a new PM as well as acting like a political worker.

The statement by the PPP senator comes a day after the federal government overcame its reluctance to the president’s address to the joint sitting of parliament and agreed to send him an official request in this regard.

A joint parliament session will be convened in the first week of October.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/237854...-to-stop-creating-political-space-for-himself

 

[daytrader]

I’m not convinced about US conspiracy: President Arif Alvi
President Alvi raised suspicions about the PTI’s narrative of US conspiracy and called for an investigation into the matter, as he isn’t “convinced” of the idea

ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi Monday raised suspicions about the PTI’s narrative of US conspiracy and called for an investigation into the matter, as he isn’t “convinced” of the idea.

In an interview with a news channel, President Alvi said he was not convinced that the United States had lodged a conspiracy (to oust Imran). “The letter [foreign cipher] has been sent to the Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and investigation should be held in this regard,” he said.

Imran had brandished a “threat letter”, which was said to be the cipher, on March 27 in a public gathering before his ouster, claiming that his government had been threatened by the US and the then opposition was involved in the conspiracy. However, the government as well as the United States have rejected the allegations.

Commenting on the former prime minister, the president said Imran became frustrated after the PTI’s ouster in April asserting that the party chief should be held answerable for his current statements.

“It was Khan’s decision to boycott the assembly proceeding [...] had he asked me, I would have suggested something else,” Alvi said. Alvi cited two major issues at hand — the economic crisis and general elections — while endorsing the idea of a dialogue among all the stakeholders.

The president clarified that he wasn’t a “broker”; however, he would still want the leaders to reach a consensus on the dwindling economy. Regarding the army, Alvi said that the institution should remain “neutral”, but refrained from elaborating on the term “neutral”.

Talking to another news channel, Alvi said he would approve the appointment of the next COAS in line with the procedure laid out in the Constitution. He said in the past too, the opposition was consulted on the appointment of the army chief. A similar discussion with the then opposition was held when PTI chief Imran Khan extended the three-year term of General Qamar Javed Bajwa in 2019, the president pointed out.

In 2019, he said, the National Assembly approved a law to extend Gen Bajwa’s terms after questions were raised before the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Alvi has been constantly backing the idea of grand dialogue between the political parties, as he believes issues can be resolved through dialogue.

In response to a question on bridging the gap between the incumbent government and PTI, Alvi said he was impartial as the president of the country and that his affiliation with the PTI was a thing of the past. “The party is my past. It is a very good past.” The president said there were several problems in the country that even “a maverick” could not solve alone. A president could only make efforts to bridge that gulf, he stated.

The News PK

 

[MenInG]

President Dr Arif Alvi took "serious note" on Tuesday of news items “grossly misquoting and wrongly” highlighting his statement on the matter of the diplomatic cipher, given during an interview with a private news channel.

In the interview given on Monday, President Alvi was reported to have expressed dissatisfaction over the “American conspiracy" narrative related to the removal of his party chairman Imran Khan’s government through a parliamentary no-trust vote and stressed that the matter should be fully investigated.

 

[MenInG]

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Amir Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government was not removed via a conspiracy rather it was "brought" through a conspiracy, saying that the former prime minister Imran Khan will never be able to get into power again.

"We removed him from power... Imran Khan's anti-national agenda will never be fulfiled. We are dealing with such a strange person that he's contesting elections from nine constituencies," he said during a rally in Mela Mandi, Takht Bhai.

 

[daytrader]

PTI admits President Alvi’s role in ‘backdoor talks’

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) openly conceded what had been an open secret thus far; that President Arif Alvi is engaged in backdoor talks with the government, even as party chief Imran Khan ramps up pressure for a ‘decisive’ march on the capital.

PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry told Dawn that negotiations were being held with the government over the issue of elections. “President Sahib is holding the talks,” he said while replying to a question that at what level talks were being held between the two sides. It has already been reported in the media that President Alvi was making backchannel efforts to defuse the current political tension.

He added the PTI was ready to hold a formal dialogue with the government if it agreed to hold snap elections. “If they (government) are willing to hold early elections, we can sit with them,” Mr Chaudhry said.

In a comment on PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal’s statement about polls, the PTI leader said: “I think ruling party leaders are not on the same page as Ahsan Iqbal is saying this [election in six to eight months] while Rana Sanaullah is saying something else.”

Fawad says ‘not sure’ if long march will take place in Oct

Replying to a question, the former information minister said he was not sure if PTI’s long march will be staged in the federal capital this October. His statement is in contrast to a claim made by his party chief Imran Khan wherein he said the march would not be postponed beyond October.

Imran seeks support for march
Earlier in the day, PTI Chairman Imran Khan met party lawmakers from Murree, Chakwal, Talagang, Haripur, Abbottabad, and Mansehra and issued them special instructions for the long march.

The lawmakers and ticketholders present in the meeting briefed Imran Khan on the preparations regarding the long march at the local level.

Mr Khan also met Senate Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi. He termed the arrest of PTI Senator Azam Swati and alleged custodial torture “shameful” and said it was beyond comprehension as to why production orders for Senator Swati were not being issued.

“The shameful arrest of a 74-year-old member of the upper house and his custodial torture is sheer violation of the constitution and the law,” he said while talking to Mr Afridi who called on him.

Imran Khan expressed his shock over the indifference of other political parties in the Senate and said that the “imported government” consisting of criminals was attacking the sanctity of the Constitution and parliament.

Mr Khan urged the deputy chairman to take steps to restore the sanctity of the house. “Instead of being a silent spectator, the [upper] house should order an immediate comprehensive investigation into the incident and identify those responsible,” he added.

In a separate meeting with PTI’s social media officials, Imran Khan lashed out at the government for adopting a fascist approach to suppress the dissenting voices in media.

“Social media freed the media from the clutches of tyranny and fascism and further added to the political maturity and consciousness of the people. PTI’s long march is not for achieving the traditional political goals but for the real freedom of the nation,” he said during the meeting.

The meeting also discussed in length the PTI’s preparations for the long march. He said that the PTI’s social media cell would play a key role in the long march because it was inevitable that the workers convey the message of “real freedom to every individual”.

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday said that he was trying in his personal capacity to bring stakeholders together at one table and resolve their differences to reduce political polarisation in the greater national interest, according to a press release from the President’s Secretariat.

The press release, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, said the president was trying to persuade stakeholders to use democratic means of discussion, consultation and deliberation to find “mutually agreed upon solutions on major issues”.

The press release said that the president informed journalists about his efforts during an interactive session with them at Lahore’s Governor House today.

DAWN

 

[daytrader]

Alvi has no role in provincial poll dates, says ECP

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Saturday told President Arif Alvi in so many words that he has no role in the announcement of dates for general elections to provincial assemblies and the commission is aware of its constitutional obligation in this regard.

“According to Article 48(5) of the Constitution, where the National Assem*bly is dissolved by the President, he shall appoint a date for election and appoint a caretaker cabinet in accordance with the provision of Article 224 or as the case may be under Article 224-A. Similarly where a governor of a province dissolves a provincial assembly under Article 105(3)(a), he shall appoint a date for general elections to the assembly and shall appoint a caretaker cabinet,” Chief Election Commis*sioner Sikandar Sultan Raja wrote to President Alvi in response to his letter.

The CEC’s letter, a copy of which is available with Dawn, draws president’s attention to the commission’s constitutional obligation to organise and conduct elections under Article 218(3).

The letter also objects to the language used by the president, as it says: “The office of president is the highest constitutional body and president is head of the state whereas all other constitutional and legal bodies are under constitutional obligation to offer utmost respect for the President office. We are sure that it is impartial and expect parental guidance from this prestigious office towards other constitutional bodies and expect that there will be better choice of words while addressing such other constitutional institutions.”

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1737947/alvi-has-no-role-in-provincial-poll-dates-says-ecp

 

[daytrader]

President Alvi signs Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023
Approval for "mini-budget" given under Article 75 of Constitution, as Pakistan seeks to unlock next tranche IMF's loan facility

President Arif Alvi signed on Thursday, the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023, the government's much-needed move for the $1.1 billion tranche of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan.

The finance bill or "mini-budget" has been approved under Article 75 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The federal government on Monday, passed the Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023, amid the talks with the global lender in adherence to its conditions to help cushion Pakistan's dwindling economy.

The bill increases sales tax from 17-25%on imports ranging from cars and household appliances to chocolates and cosmetics. A general sales tax was raised from 17% to 18%.

People will also have to pay more for business-class air travel, wedding halls, mobile phones, and sunglasses.

The bill was followed by the austerity measures unveiled by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which Finance Minister Ishaq Dar had termed as "difficult decisions".

The premier unveiled a host of austerity measures to save Rs200 billion — aimed to keep the country afloat as the nation buckles up to meet the IMF's terms.

...
The News PK

 

[MenInG]

President Alvi - the Great Survivor!

He is a gentle-mannered person who has somehow managed to stave off the PDM hounds with guile and intellect.

Imran would be well-advised to have him by his side in whatever shape or form his government takes. The calm counsel of Alvi will be great help.

 

[MenInG]

Following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest, President Arif Alvi expressed solidarity with the former prime minister and asked his wife to reach out to the arrested leader’s sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, reported The News.

The president asked his wife Samina Alvi to contact Imran Khan's sisters and convey that he is making efforts for his well-being.

Sources told the publication that the president shared his sentiments with his spouse and asked her to contact Imran’s sisters.

Accordingly, the first lady established contact with the PTI chairman’s two sisters by phone.

Samina, in a statement, said that when she reached out to Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan they informed her that there was no case of plundering of national wealth against their brother.

Both the sisters were upset over the arrest of their brother and impressed upon the people to continue peaceful protest as long as the PTI chief is not released.

Meanwhile, sources said that President Alvi is maintaining his contact with the PTI leadership to ascertain the situation and have a discussion with them on political developments.

The spokesman for the Presidency wasn’t available for comments.

The report regarding the president comes a day after the PTI chief was sent on an eight-day physical remand by an accountability court in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

The PTI chief was presented before the court after he was arrested on Tuesday by Rangers — becoming the seventh former prime minister to be arrested in Pakistan — on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), an autonomous anti-graft agency, concerning a corruption case. He was then moved to its office in the garrison town of Rawalpindi for questioning.

Later, announcing the reserved verdict on Khan’s arrest, the Islamabad High Court said that the arrest was legal; therefore, Khan’s legal team challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court; however, the plea was turned down by the apex court citing various reasons.

The cricketer-turned-politician faces a slew of court cases and was also indicted in the Toshakhana case — which involved allegations that he did not properly disclose earnings from the sale of state gifts from his time in office.

GEO