PML-N leaders have called for the resignation of President Arif Alvi after he denied signing the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act 2023 and the Official Secrets (Amendment) Act 2023.

Former finance minister Ishaq Dar called the events unbelievable and urged the president to resign from his post saying Alvi failed to run his office effectively.

“Unbelievable—minimum morality warrants Alvi Sb to resign, having failed to run his office effectively, efficiently and as per Rules of Business — official work is conducted on files and implementation ensured — such statements only indicate playing with the gallery. God help us!,” he wrote on X.

On Sunday, Alvi in a statement said that he never signed the Official Secrets bill and the Pakistan Army bill into laws and that his staff defied him, flouting his instructions about sending the two pieces of legislation back to the Parliament.

He went on to add that he never agreed to the contents of amendments and did not sign the bills. He had instructed his staff to send the two laws back to the Parliament, said the president.

Senator Irfan Siddiqui raised question over the fact that it took two days for the president to deny signing the bills.

“President Alvi should speak openly. If he was in disagreement with the bills, why didn’t he mention his objections? What was the purpose of sending back the bill without yes or no? Why did he remain silent for two days despite the news coming in the media? Even when he spoke, the matter became more confusing. If he is unable to command his staff, then he should resign and go home,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, analyst Hamid Mir said the matter is not as simple as the president having given a statement, will have to present concrete evidence to support his claim.

“His [President Alvi’s] statement is suspicious until he provides solid evidence to support his claim; apologising does not suit the President in this matter,” he told Geo News.

He said that the president made accusations against at least three people, not all of whom were civilians, who will be investigated for forgery.

Former interior minister Rana SanaUllah said that the office and the country were made a laughing stock by issuing such a statement without investigations.

“The country and the position were mocked by tweeting without investigation — (Irreparable loss). There should be a thorough inquiry into the matter. It is unfortunate that when you put small people in big positions or they sit down, then things like this happen,” he wrote on X.