ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Dr. Arif Alvi has taken serious notice of the news items published in various sections of the press wherein the President’s statement regarding the “Cipher” taken out of an interview with Anchor Aaj TV Asma Shirazi on October 10, 2022 was grossly misquoted and wrongly highlighted.
In his interview, the president clearly said that he had suspicions about a conspiracy but of course, certainty could only be established after a thorough investigation was done.
“His position has not changed at all since he sent a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan wherein, he requested the Supreme Court for a thorough inquiry into the matter as he strongly believed that the issue must be investigated,” the president said.
صدر مملکت ڈاکٹر عارف علوی نے میڈیا میں شائع/نشر ہونے والی ان خبروں کا سخت نوٹس لیا ہے جن میں پیر کو “آج نیوز” کی اینکر عاصمہ شیرازی کے ساتھ انٹرویو کے دوران صدر مملکت کے “سائفر ” کے حوالے سے بیان کو مکمل طور سیاق و سباق سے ہٹ کر پیش کیا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/NmXhSHzDKw
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 11, 2022
President Arif Alvi referred the matter to the Supreme Court not because he had no suspicions about a conspiracy but because he ‘had suspicions’ as the matter was raised by the ex-prime minister of the Country and an impartial investigation was necessary including all the circumstantial evidence available.
“We cannot ignore the fact that the national outfall of the ‘Cipher’ and its repercussions led to political upheaval, therefore an impartial inquiry, beyond the demarche issued by the Govt of Pakistan, was requested,” he said.
It is unfortunate that his words were distorted on a very grave matter with serious implications.
The president has spoken many times on the issue of ‘out of context’ portrayals including in the Parliament that create more division in an already polarized atmosphere.