The crisis stemming from the denial of President’s endorsement of the Official Secrets Act and the Armed Forces Amendment Bill in Islamabad has escalated further. President of the country, Dr. Arif Alvi, has returned the services of his secretary, Wagar Ahmed, amid the dispute over the signed denial. The Presidential House has communicated to the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary in writing that the services of the President’s Secretary, Wagar Ahmed, are no longer required, hence they are returned to the Establishment Division.
However, in response, President’s Principal Secretary, Wagar Ahmed, has written a letter to the President stating that he was misrepresented in a wrong manner. He has expressed his willingness to testify, take an oath, and provide clarity regarding any irregularities he might be associated with. He insists that he didn’t retract his endorsement of the bills and that the files related to the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill are still present in the Presidential Chamber. He indicates that if the Supreme Court calls for it, he will provide all facts along with the case records.
In a statement issued on the Presidential Secretariat’s official website, the Presidential House states that, based on yesterday’s clear statement, the services of the President’s Secretary have been returned to the Establishment Division. It further notes that as per the letter addressed to the Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary, President Alvi’s decision to return Wagar Ahmed’s services was based on the understanding that they were no longer necessary.
On the other hand, Wagar Ahmed, in his letter to President Alvi, maintains that while his services have been returned, he desires to present the facts. He emphasizes that any mismanagement regarding the mentioned bills is not his responsibility. He asserts that President’s denial to endorse the Armed Forces Amendment Bill was neither approved nor sent back in written form to the Parliament. Wagar Ahmed reaffirms that he is ready to provide his testimony under oath and urges the President to reconsider his decision to return his services.
In addition, he states that the Official Secrets Act Amendment Bill was received by the Presidential House on August 8, after the office hours, and the same was dispatched to the President on August 9. He underscores that the President is fully aware of the details of both bills and his readiness to testify under oath. Wagar Ahmed requests the President to retract the decision to return his services.
In conclusion, the situation revolves around the President’s denial of endorsing crucial bills and the subsequent developments involving the return of the President’s Secretary’s services and the ensuing exchanges of letters between the parties involved. The crisis seems to pivot on the interpretation of events related to these bills and their handling within the government apparatus.
