ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi took “serious note” of news items “grossly misquoting and wrongly” highlighting his statement on matter of diplomatic cipher, given during an interview with a private news channel.

In interview given on Monday, President Alvi was reported to have expressed dissatisfaction over “American conspiracy” narrative related to removal of his party Chairman Imran Khan’s government through a parliamentary no-trust vote and stressed that matter should be fully investigated.

During interview, he said, “I am convinced that there should be an investigation on this, but I do not agree that there was a conspiracy”.

In a statement issued by President’s Secretariat, President clarified that he clearly said that he had suspicions about a conspiracy, adding that certainty could only be established after a thorough investigation was conducted.

“His position has not changed at all since he sent a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan wherein, he requested Supreme Court for a thorough inquiry into matter as he strongly believed that issue must be investigated”, statement quoted President Alvi as saying.

Press release maintained that Alvi had referred matter to apex court not because he had “no suspicions” about a conspiracy, but because he “had suspicions” as issue was raised by former premier and an impartial investigation with inclusion of all circumstantial evidence available was necessary.

Statement quoted President as saying, “We cannot ignore fact that national outfall of ‘Cipher’ and its repercussions led to political upheaval, therefore an impartial inquiry, beyond demarche issued by government of Pakistan, was requested”.

It emphasised that it was “unfortunate” that President’s words were “distorted on a very grave matter with serious implications”.

“President has spoken many times on issue of ‘out of context’ portrayals, including in Parliament, that create more division in an already polarised atmosphere,” statement concluded.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 12 2022

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