ISLAMABAD: With already a tumultuous and controversial tenure as president, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan seeking Arif Alvi’s removal as the head of state over misconduct and failure to maintain “impartially” in performing his duties.
From sending the infamous presidential reference to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against CJP Qazi Faez Isa, to dissolving the National Assembly ahead of the no-confidence motion filed against then-PM Imran Khan in April 2022, and his failure to announce the election date, President Alvi has been part of some of the most controversial political decisions in the country’s history.
Dr Alvi has been criticised by his own party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), following the May 9 incidents, while several politicos and the SC have also censured the top official over his failure to announce the date of elections.
His five-year term ended on September 8, 2023, however, he is currently continuing as the country’s head of state under Article 44 of the Constitution which allows the president to continue holding the office in the absence of the provincial and national assemblies — which were dissolved in January and August earlier this year, respectively.
