President Alvi says no issue in early appointment of next Army Chief
Need a consultative process to address economic woos of country: President Alvi
Says he enjoys good working relationship with current govt
ISLAMABAD ( Web News )
President Arif Alvi on Tuesday said that it is not a bad idea to appoint the next chief of army staff before the time fixed for appointment, November.
The president was asked what he thinks of the suggestion that the new army chief be appointed in advance due to the ongoing political crisis in the country.
“It’s not such a bad idea,” he said in response. President Alvi said that it is suggested he “play his part” after meeting the army, naval or air chiefs, which he “cannot do”.
He said that a dialogue is possible only when all the stakeholders agree. “The President House can play its role only in this case.” The statement came during an interaction with journalists in response to a question.
“The neutrals need to remain neutral always,” the president said. Elaborating further, he said that as the president of Pakistan, he does not have the constitutional authority to ask parties to have a dialogue.
“The elephant in the room has not appeared now, it has been there for 50 years,” he said, adding that the matter is a ground reality and that it can be solved through dialogue.
He said that he has received 74 summaries since the coalition government has come into office and he signed and forwarded 69 of them on the day of receiving them.
“I held back the summaries regarding NAB amendment Ordinance, electronic voting machines and the Punjab governor but I didn’t have any pressure to do so,” he said.
When asked, President Alvi said that he didn’t have any talk with PTI chairman Imran Khan on the matter of EVMs and NAB amendment ordinance and the last time they spoke was when there was an issue regarding the Punjab governor.
Moving on to the current situation in the top courts, Alvi said that he regrets that such an atmosphere has been created.
“I had appreciated the houbara bustard ruling by Justice Qazi Faez Isa,” he said, adding: “I don’t want to create controversy again and again.”
“I forwarded the reference pertaining to Justice Isa that was sent to me,” the president.
He said that a person should change their views if the time and circumstances change.
President Alvi said that a parliamentary system is better and he does not support the president’s authority to dissolve assemblies under Article 2B of the Constitution of Pakistan.
The president said that Article 6 should be applied to who ever commits treason.
“If anyone believes that I have violated the Constitution then they may try me under Article 6 but neither have I violated the Constitution nor suspended it,” the president said.
“I personally think that a clear mandate is extremely important no matter what the time is,” President Alvi said.
Responding to a question about the foreign “threat” letter, Alvi said that the matter should be made public if it has been investigated.
The president said that the United States does not want to end relations with Pakistan. He appreciated Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s efforts to strengthen Pak-US ties.
Responding to another question, President Alvi said that the perception that relations between him and the prime minister are not good is wrong.
President Dr Arif Alvi has said that there was a need for the political parties to find solutions to financial and economic woes faced by the country through a consultative process and to take steps to manage the rising inflation in the country.
The President gave these remarks during an interaction with media persons, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, on Tuesday, said a press release.
He said that uncertain political and economic situation in any country can expand polarization in society which was detrimental to everyone’s interest, therefore, all stakeholders should take meaningful steps to bring about political and economic stability through a consultative process while remaining within the bounds of the Constitution and relevant laws of the country.
The President said that all pillars of the state and institutions should play their constitutional role while remaining within the bounds of law for holding free and fair elections, whenever held, to pave the path for the setting up a government which truly reflected the aspirations and hopes of the people of Pakistan.
“Only a government that comes to power through transparent, free and fair elections can provide much-needed political financial and economic stability to the country”, he said.
The President said that he had a good working relationship with the current government and had no confrontation with the Prime Minister. He stated that he had received 74 summaries from the present government out of which 69 summaries had been assented to without any delay.
“The Budget bill was signed immediately as it was received”, he added. He said that he didn’t receive any directions from the PTI’s leadership in relation to his official duties and conduct. Replying to a question, he said that he believed in making the right decisions without any fear and favour.
He further stated that he was ready to play his role in facilitating a consultative process amongst the political parties, only if all the stakeholders asked him to play such a role.
Responding to a question regarding the establishment of a parliamentary committee on Article 06 against him, he said that he had been performing his duties as President within the boundaries of Constitution and prescribed laws and procedures and with a clear conscience, therefore, he would clarify his position whenever if such a situation arose.
The President emphasized pursuing a non-confrontational foreign policy by the country and establishing good friendly and mutually beneficial relations with all countries of the world based on equality and dignity and pursuing peace throughout the world. He added that past policies of the country to completely align with one block did not go well with the interests of the country.
President Alvi said that the parliamentary system was a tried and tested system and had evolved over a period of time as the best-suited system for our country. He said that vesting of extraordinary powers to the President through articles like the expunged 58 2 (b) was not in the larger interest of the country.