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President Dr Arif Alvi has completed his five-year term. He became the fourth democratically elected president to complete his tenure. However, since the assemblies remain dissolved, he still remains in office and his term has been extended.
In the absence of an electoral college required to choose the president and elections unlikely anytime soon, he could remain in office indefinitely. The Constitution says the president continues to hold the office until a successor is chosen.
With mystery surrounding the fate of the general elections, how long Dr Alvi remains in office is anyone’s guess. In case he decides to resign, Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani would assume charge as acting president. However, since the president has not quit, it implies that he has decided to remain in office.
President Alvi’s term has its fair share of controversies, particularly after the ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan. He was accused of turning the presidency into an ‘ordinance factory’ by promulgating 77 ordinances. He was also criticized for sending a reference against judges of the judiciary and legally flawed appointments in institutions which were struck down.
The biggest controversy erupted when he dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of former prime minister, shortly after a session of the no-confidence motion. The Supreme Court bench nullified the decision as contrary to the Constitution and the law. In June 2020, the apex court also dismissed a presidential reference against senior judge Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
After the downfall of the PTI government, President Alvi remained shrouded in controversies and was accused of a partisan approach. He courted controversy when he refused to take oath from Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister. He was then criticized for not approving or delaying legislation passed by the PDM government.
As the PDM allies refused to conduct fresh elections, the president took responsibility to push for an election date. In February this year, he bypassed the ECP in announcing election dates in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The authorities did not oblige and elections were not held. Eventually, PDM amended the election laws and the stripped president’s powers to announce elections.
His most recent controversy came when he claimed that he had not signed two key bills giving more powers to the army and intelligence agencies. There are also reports he may face prosecution if he leaves office for attempting to subvert the constitution. Since the president has immunity, he remains safe from any legal proceedings until he remains in office.
President Alvi’s name has been written among all equals. It is necessary that the office of the head of state should remain free of any controversy. It is also imperative that elections should be held so that the democratic process is completed.
