Pakistan President Arif Alvi has ‘doubts’ on cypher conspiracy

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed his doubts about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s oft-repeated narrative of “American conspiracy.”

In a recent televised interview he said he was not convinced with the ‘conspiracy theory.’

I have my doubts about it, said Dr Arif Alvi adding only after a probe, things will be clear. “When the matter was brought to my notice, I said you won’t get a smoking gun on it,” said Alvi, adding he had requested the Supreme Court to take into account the circumstantial evidence.

I sent it to the apex court for thorough investigation, the president further said in the interview he recently gave to a private TV channel.

'Cypher should be investigated'

The president called for an investigation into the issue of cypher, saying that the government had issued a demarche to the United States to convey its displeasure with the words used by the US official.

Dr Alvi said that he requested the Supreme Court to take into account the evidence of the incident while taking up the matter.

Army Chief’s appointment

The president called for a broader consultation and consensus by all parties on the appointment of the new Army Chief.

The current Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Bajwa is set to retire next month on November 29. A few days ago while he was in the UN, the outgoing army chief put an end to speculations regarding whether he would get an extension or retire by making it clear that he would step down as Army Chief at the end of his already extended tenure in November.

President Alvi, however, while responding to a question about his role in appointment of new Army Chief said he would approve the summary sent by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the appointment of the next chief in line with the constitutional requirement.

Ouster weighs heavily on Imran

In response to a question, Alvi said that Imran Khan was very disappointed with the way his government was ousted. This is why he refused to sit in the National Assembly anymore.

Asked about the party’s decision regarding resignations from the National Assembly, President Alvi said that if he had been consulted, he could have given a ‘different advice’.

Political affiliation is my past

Asked whether he would play his role to bridge gaps between the current multi-party coalition government and the PTI, Dr Alvi said in the Constitution of Pakistan, the role of the President is that of an impartial head of state.

“PTI is my past… it is a very good past,” said the president who was elected in the past as Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from Karachi on the PTI’s ticket.

He reiterated his resolve to address several problems prevailing in the country. “As president I can make efforts to bridge the gulf,” he said.