The National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday passed a resolution against President Dr. Arif Alvi, urging him to act in a “non-partisan” manner and perform his functions in accordance with Article 48 of the constitution.
The resolution was moved by Member of National Assembly (MNA) Mohsin Dawar.
“This House takes strong exception to the constitutional stance taken by the President and refusal to adhere to implement the constitution in letter and spirit, and also to follow the norms of parliamentary democracy,” the resolution stated.
According to the oath of the office of president, it said: “the president will not allow his personal interests to influence his official conduct or his official decisions. He is also bound to preserve, protect and defend the constitution”. Before passing the resolution, Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Ashtar Ausaf Ali explained the matter of appointment and removal of the governor in the house.
According to the judiciary, it is not a prerogative of the president but of the prime minister and the federal government to remove the governor, he said, adding: “The president is bound to follow the advice of the premier.” Summing up the debate later, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar said that the constitution binds the president to follow the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet regarding the appointment or removal of the governor.
The Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) led by MNAs Ghous Bux Mahar and Dr Fehmida Mirza opposed the resolution.
Opposing the government’s stance, GDA member Ghous Bakhsh Mehr said that presidential powers cannot be questioned. Mehr said that the president has the power to block the government’s decision to remove the governor so the matter should be referred to the Supreme Court for clarification.
The National Assembly will meet again today (Thursday) at 11 am.
