PML-N asks President Alvi to step down

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has asked President Dr Arif Alvi to step down from office upon the completion of his constitutional term.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, PML-N leader and former information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that, following the completion of the constitutional term, Alvi should pack up and vacate the presidency, and shift to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secretariat.

She emphasized that Dr Alvi should facilitate the transition of administrative affairs.

Aurangzeb alleged that conspirators did not desire elections but rather sought economic, political and constitutional crises in the country.

She claimed that those responsible for economic turmoil and potential constitutional crises have once against devised a plot to destabilise the country.

Aurangzeb accused the PTI government of four years of economic and state terrorism, asserting that the previous government had actively worked against Pakistan’s interests, resulting in economic turmoil and jeopardising the livelihoods of the people.

Addressing the press conference, PML-N leader Attaullah Tarar suggested that the president might transition into the role of acting president to maintain administrative stability.

He also proposed that the Senate chairman could assume the role of acting president.

Tarar noted that Dr Alvi had written to the law ministry regarding the election date, and received a response that he could not announce the election date.

This development raised questions about the legality of such an action, as Alvi lacks the authority to determine the election date, he said.

Tarar highlighted that the economy was improving, and the exchange rate of the US dollar was stabilising. He expressed confidence that Pakistan was progressing towards stability.

“He should refrain from harming Pakistan’s economy for political gains. They wish to create uncertainty in the country by announcing the election date in an unprecedented manner,” he said.

“I tell the government and the election commission that you are not bound by the law to act on the president’s orders. The president is doing what his party tells him,” he said.

Tarar emphasised that, according to the constitution, the authority to announce the election date lies with the election commission.

He stated that Arif Alvi, as an acting president, cannot set a date, and it would be illegal.

“The constitution states that the president must obey the advice of the prime minister. The president wants to destabilise the country by announcing the election date. According to the constitution, he is not authorised to announce the election date,” he said.

Web Desk