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President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi seems not to be interested in signing major legislation done by the incumbent government, as he again returned the National Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2022 unsigned again to the PM Office, saying that he believes the bill is regressive in nature and will promote corruption by ensuring that the long-arm of the law is crippled.
A press release issued by the President House today said that the bill also sends a message to the corrupt, who have amassed tremendous wealth and about which there is no doubt in the minds of the people of Pakistan, that they are not accountable and are free to continue to plunder.
He also reiterated that the public clamoured for the return of the nation’s looted wealth, but long judicial processes and poor prosecution failed most efforts.
“Instead of improving the law to avoid miscarriage, to close loopholes [and] make it stronger, we are weakening it beyond recognition,” the statement read.
“We must act upon the injunctions of the Quran and Sunnah, and above all, I am answerable to Allah and ask for His forgiveness,” the president said adding that therefore, he painfully states, that his conscience does not allow him to sign this bill.
President Arif Alvi returned the NAB (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2022 for “reconsideration and detailed deliberation” to Parliament and its committees under Clause (1) (b) of Article 75.
The said bills were then passed by a joint sitting of the parliament on June 09 and will come into force despite the president’s refusal to sign them as per the constitution of Pakistan. Here the question arises if President thinks the government is working against the wish of the people and rule of law then he should ask the incumbent government to take vote of confidence from the assembly or else step down from the office, citing the controversial legislation being done by the coalition government.
Because the lack of coordination between the PM and President’s Offices will definitely create barriers to the important legislation and ultimately it will harm the people of Pakistan,
