ISLAMABAD: Controversy surrounding approval of two controversial bills deepened further as officer picked by President Arif Alvi refused to work as his Principal Secretary.

Dr Alvi requested Prime Minister Office to remove Waqar Ahmed as his Principal Secretary and appoint Humaira Ahmad, grade-22 DMG officer, currently working as federal Secretary of national heritage and culture division, in his place.

Day after President Alvi’s startling revelation about not signing Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, President’s Secretariat said that services of Waqar Ahmed were no more required and are surrendered to Establishment Division with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, sources said that no transfer and posting could be possible without permission of Election Commission of Pakistan after dissolution of assemblies.

Hours after his removal, confidential letter came to light in which Waqar Ahmed clarified his position regarding bills.

“Honourable President neither assented to Bill nor gave written decision for returning Bill for reconsideration by Parliament. Said file has not been returned to Office of Secretary to date i.e. August 21, 2023,” letter stated.He said that President’s decision for surrender of his services was not based on justice. “I request Honourable President may kindly order an inquiry by Federal Investigation Agency or any other agency to probe facts and fix responsibility for any lapse if committed by any officer or official,” he said.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 23 2023

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