Major events during tenure of Arif Alvi as president of Pakistan

President Dr Arif Alvi, who was elected as Pakistan's head of state after receiving majority votes from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in 2018, has completed his more than five years in office.

Arif Alvi was sworn in as Pakistan's president on September 9, 2018, after winning the presidential election by majority votes.

Here are the major events during the tenure of Arif Alvi as president of Pakistan.

Presidential reference filed against Justice Isa

Dr Alvi had sent a reference to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) against the country's incoming chief justice, Qazi Faez Isa, during the PTI government's tenure in May, 2019. 

The reference was turned down by the Supreme Court as "invalid".

Dissolution of NA

The first time, Dr Alvi dissolved the National Assembly on April 3, 2022 — which was restored by the Supreme Court subsequently.

The NA was dissolved on the advice of former prime minister Imran Khan, who was facing a no-confidence motion.

Announcement of polls in Punjab, KP

After the dissolution of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) assemblies in 2023, governors did not announce the election, but President Alvi took matters into his own hands by announcing the date of elections in both provinces. There was, however, no implementation.

Withdrawal of curative reference against Justice Isa

President Alvi granted approval, as per Article 48 of the Constitution, to withdraw the curative review reference and Civil Miscellaneous Application (CMA) filed against Justice Isa, following the advice of PM Shehbaz in 2023.

Dissolution of NA in August 2023

President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi signed the dissolution of the lower house for the second time on August 9, 2023, on the proposal of PM Shehbaz.

Controversy surrounding on amendment bills 

In August 2023, the president denied approving the controversial Army Act Amendment Bill and Official Secrets Act Bill. President Alvi subsequently blamed his staff for violating his orders and not returning the bills despite his objections.

Before the president publically communicated his denial on microblogging website X, the bills were reported to have been approved and turned into law. He also dismissed his secretary Waqar Ahmed over the said dispute.