Former President Dr. Arif Alvi has unequivocally expressed his willingness to confront legal proceedings should his adversaries opt to pursue a case against him under Article 6 of the Constitution, alleging breaches of constitutional integrity. Calls for a high treason indictment under Article 6 have surfaced on various occasions, notably in instances such as the dissolution of the National Assembly upon the counsel of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman, Imran Khan, during his tenure as Prime Minister, as well as the recent failure to convene the inaugural session of the upper house of parliament following the 2024 general elections.
Transitioning authority to newly inaugurated President Asif Ali Zardari, Dr. Alvi vacated the presidential residence, returning to Karachi where he addressed the media from his home. In his statement, he openly invited legal scrutiny, stating that those leveling accusations of unconstitutional conduct against him are welcome to pursue recourse through judicial channels.
While reflecting on his tenure, Dr. Alvi underscored his steadfast commitment to accountability and democratic principles, aligning himself with the ethos of his political party, PTI, which has been vocally opposed to entrenched corruption within the nation. Asserting his adherence to constitutional norms, Dr. Alvi maintained that his actions were consistently guided by what he deemed appropriate within the bounds of the Constitution.
Was not in the favor of the reference against Faiz Isa
Speaking on the controversial reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan, Qazi Faiz Isa, he echoed sentiments shared with Imran Khan, lamenting its initiation.“I and Imran Khan shared the view that sending a reference against Justice Qazi Faiz Isa was unnecessary,”he said.
Extolling the virtues of Imran Khan, Dr. Alvi hailed him as an exemplar of honesty and national unity, expressing unwavering allegiance to his leadership.“I have never seen such an honest man. No one has such a quality to unite the nation. There is no leader like PTI founder,” he stated. He disclosed his intention to petition for a meeting with Khan, currently detained in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, while also urging for investigations into recent instances of violence.
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Furthermore, Dr. Alvi emphasized the imperative for political actors and institutions to collaborate in fostering national cohesion and recognizing the electoral mandate garnered by PTI. Reflecting on his advisory role, he told Imran khan that he was against assembly dissolutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab . Alvi further said that Imran khan always highlighted the prioritization of merit in the appointment of the Army Chief.
In concluding remarks, Dr. Alvi reiterated the significance of upholding confidentiality protocols and the solemn oaths taken by leaders regarding classified information. He advocated for concerted efforts to ameliorate the economic landscape, cautioning against overreliance on external financial institutions such as the IMF, emphasizing the need for comprehensive economic strategies.