President’s Secretariat seeks Secretary Waqar Ahmed’s replacement

President’s Secretariat sought Secretary Waqar Ahmed’s replacement a day after President Arif Alvi’s startling revelation about the signing of the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

President Alvi a day earlier accused his staff of “undermining his will and command.”

In a statement posted on X, the President’s Secretariat said the services of Secretary to President Waqar Ahmed were “no more required” and sought a replacement.

“In view of the definite statement of yesterday, President’s Secretariat has written a letter to Principal Secretary to Prime Minister that the services of Mr. Waqar Ahmed, Secretary to President, are no more required and are surrendered to the Establishment Division, immediately,” a statement posted on the President of Pakistan’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter) said.

“It has also been desired that Ms. Humaira Ahmed, a BPS-22 officer of the Pakistan Administrative Service, may be posted as Secretary to the President,” the statement added.

 

A day earlier, President Arif Alvi claimed that he had not signed the two bills, triggering a massive controversy in the country.

“As God is my witness, I did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 and Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 as I disagreed with these laws,” President Alvi had said on X.

“I asked my staff to return the bills unsigned within the stipulated time to make them ineffective. I confirmed from them many times whether they have been returned & was assured that they were.”

“However I have found out today that my staff undermined my will and command. As Allah knows all, He will forgive IA. But I ask forgiveness from those who will be affected,” he had added.