Legal Challenge Emerges: Supreme Court Petition Seeks Removal Of President Arif Alvi Over Alleged Misconduct

In a significant legal development, a petition has been lodged in Pakistan's Supreme Court calling for the removal of President Arif Alvi from office on grounds of "misconduct" and alleged failure to maintain impartiality in carrying out his presidential duties. Filed by Ghulam Murtaza Khan, the petition contends that President Alvi has shirked his constitutional responsibilities, accusing him of violating the Constitution through both words and actions. The petitioner asserts that the president, as the head of state, is obligated to operate within the bounds of the law but has consistently misused powers, aligning closely with the political agenda of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, as reported by PTI.

Highlighting the president's alleged bias in favoring a specific political party, the petition argues that President Alvi's representation of the PTI has compromised the impartiality required of his role. Specifically, it points to the dissolution of the National Assembly in April 2022, attributing the move to the president's alignment with Imran Khan's directives, which, according to the petitioner, had detrimental effects on the country's political landscape and tarnished Pakistan's international image.

The petition further claims that President Alvi has utilized the resources of his office, including hosting party meetings, in support of the PTI, contending that such actions constitute a misuse of presidential powers. Emphasizing the president's responsibility to ensure national peace without bias towards any political faction, the petition calls on the Supreme Court to investigate the matter and prevent President Alvi from continuing in the capacity of the head of state.

President Alvi, whose five-year term officially concluded on September 8, is presently holding the position under Article 44 of Pakistan's Constitution due to the dissolution of both provincial and national assemblies earlier in the year.