Soon after President Dr Arif Alvi denied giving assent to the Official Secrets (amendment) 2023 bill and the Pakistan Army Act (amendment) 2023 bill, ‘Article 6’ became one the top hashtags on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Several commentators on the social media platform called for invoking Article 6 of the Constitution against those who allegedly forged the president’s signature to give assent to the bills.

Earlier, President Alvi said in a statement 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, he added.

He claimed that his staff defied him, flouting his instructions about sending the two pieces of legislation back to the Parliament.

Fawad Ahmad Khan, a commentator called the statement a significant revelation, while urging the immediate removal and arrest of the suspects and the initiation of action under Article 6.

“A significant revelation has surfaced, leaving no room for delay in the immediate removal and arrest of the traitors, and the initiation of action under Article 6,” he wrote on X.

The leaders of the PML-N asked the president to step down from his post hours after the bill assent dispute emerged.

Former finance minister Ishaq Dar, former interior minister Rana SanaUllah and Senator Irfan Siddiqui urged the president to resign from his post saying Alvi failed to run his office effectively.

Veqar Islam called it a bigger issue than the US cypher saying such action is tantamount to attacking the federation of Pakistan.

“The @PresOfPakistan of Pakistan represent the Federation of Pakistan. Assault on his office is tantamount to attacking federation. Cypher was straight article 6. This is even bigger. Keep accumulating crimes. Matter of time Inshallah.” He wrote on X.

On August 19, President Alvi was reported to have assented to Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023, officially marking them as laws following approval of the bills from both the Senate and National Assembly.

Babar Khan Niazi called it a betrayal and violation of the Constitution.

“Will action be taken under Article 6 against those who ‘cheated’ with the President of a Nuclear country ? Hope traitors will get punishment under treason Act.. Salute to you sir our supreme commander for speaking truth,” he wrote.

Several others also called for invoking Article 6 for the alleged signature fraud of the president to assent to the bills.