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Arif-ur-Rehman Alvi[a] (born 29 July 1949) is a Pakistani politician and former dentist who served as the 13th president of Pakistan from September 2018 to March 2024.[1] He was a member of the National Assembly from 2013 until being elected president in 2018. Alvi entered politics in 1979 by joining Jamaat-e-Islami, but later resigned and became one of the founding members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.[2]

Key Information

Alvi was elected to the National Assembly, from NA-250 Karachi-XII in 2013 and was re-elected in 2018 from NA-247 Karachi South-II. He was later nominated as the PTI's candidate for the presidential election. He was elected as the 13th President of Pakistan after defeating Fazal-ur-Rehman and Aitzaz Ahsan, after which he resigned from the National Assembly and was sworn into office on 9 September 2018, succeeding Mamnoon Hussain.

Early life and education

[edit]

Family background

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His father, Habib-ur-Rehman Elahi Alvi, was also a dentist, in Delhi, British India who migrated to Karachi after the establishment of Pakistan,[3] and opened a dental clinic in Saddar Town.[4] His father became politically affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan.[5] According to the PTI website, Alvi's father was a dentist of Jawaharlal Nehru.[3][2]

Education

[edit]

After his father started a campaign against compulsory catechism, Alvi was then expelled from the Anglican Karachi Grammar School.[6] He completed his early education in Karachi,[7] and moved to Lahore in 1967 for education in dentistry.[5] Alvi received a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from De'Montmorency College of Dentistry. He completed his master's degree in prosthodontics from the University of Michigan in 1975.[8] Alvi received a master's degree in orthodontics in 1984 from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, California.[9] After returning to Pakistan, he started practicing dentistry and set up Alvi Dental Hospital.[7]

Professional career

[edit]

In 1981, Alvi was Chairman of the first Pakistan International Dental Conference. In 1987, he became Chairman of the Third Pakistan International Dental Conference. He became Patron of the Fifth Pakistan International Dental Conference.[10] In 1997, Alvi became a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He prepared the constitution of the Pakistan Dental Association and went on to become its president. He also served as Chairman of the 28th Asia Pacific Dental Congress.[4][11]

He served as Dean of the Faculty of Orthodontics of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. In 2006, he was elected as the President of Asia Pacific Dental Federation. The next year, he was elected as a Councillor of the FDI World Dental Federation.[4][11]

Political career

[edit]

Alvi began his political career as a polling agent and joined a religious party.[12]

With Imran Khan in 2018 during the PTI's election campaigning process

While studying at De'Montmorency College of Dentistry, he became an active member of the student unions.[13] He became politically affiliated with Islami Jamiat Talaba, a student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI)[14] and went on to become president of the student union.[15][16] In an interview, he told that during his early days, he was a critic of the Ayub Khan regime and was shot twice while participating in a protest in 1969 at The Mall, Lahore; a bullet still remains lodged in his body.[3]

He became politically active after Zulfikar Ali Bhutto announced the 1977 Pakistani general election.[7]

He ran for a seat on the Provincial Assembly of Sindh as a candidate of the JI from a constituency in Karachi in 1979[13][17][18] but was unsuccessful.[4][5][11] In 1988, he quit JI and left politics.[5] According to Alvi, he left the party because he had become disillusioned with their narrow focus on politics and had "always felt honest leadership is the real solution to Pakistan’s problems".[12]

After getting inspired by Imran Khan, he joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in 1996[3][13] and became one of the founding members of the party.[12][19] He participated in preparing the party constitution of PTI.[4]

He remained a member of the PTI central executive council for a year before becoming president of PTI's Sindh chapter in 1997.[20]

Alvi ran for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh as a candidate of PTI from Constituency PS-89 (Karachi South-V) in the 1997 Pakistani general election, but was unsuccessful.[20] He came in third receiving 2,200 votes and lost the seat to Saleem Zia.[5][21][22]

In 2001, he became the vice president of PTI.[20]

He ran for the seat of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh as a candidate of PTI from Constituency PS-90 (Karachi-II) in the 2002 Pakistani general election, but was unsuccessful.[9][20] He came in at sixth place securing 1,276 votes and lost the seat to Umer Sadiq, a candidate of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA).[22][23]

In 2006, he became secretary general of PTI, a position he served in until 2013.[20][24][25]

He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of PTI from Constituency NA-250 (Karachi-XII) in the 2013 Pakistani general election.[26][27] He received 77,659 votes and defeated Khushbakht Shujaat.[28] Upon his successful election, he became the only PTI member to win a National Assembly seat from Sindh in the 2013 general elections.[29]

During the 2014 Tsunami March, police invoked the Anti-Terrorism Act against Alvi and several other PTI leaders for allegedly inciting violence.[30] He was implicated in cases stemming from the 2014 attacks on Parliament House and Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).[31] On one occasion, Alvi and other PTI leaders went to the police station and forcibly secured the release of a PTI lawmaker from jail and were also accused of assaulting the policemen present.[32] In 2018, The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) granted pre-arrest bail to PTI leaders, including Alvi, in cases related to the 2014 attack on Parliament House and PTV.[33]

In 2016, he was made president of the PTI Sindh chapter.[19]

He was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PTI from Constituency NA-247 (Karachi South-II) in the 2018 Pakistani general election.[34][35] He received 91,020 votes and defeated Syed Zaman Ali Jaffery, a candidate of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.[36]

Presidency (2018-2024)

[edit]
With Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Naruhito, October 2019

On 18 August 2018, he was nominated by PTI as its candidate for the office of President of Pakistan.[37] On 4 September 2018, he was elected as 13th President of Pakistan in the 2018 Pakistani presidential election.[38] He received 352 electoral votes and defeated Fazal-ur-Rehman and Aitzaz Ahsan who secured 184 and 124 votes, respectively.[39][40] Upon getting elected as the President, Alvi thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan, and the government coalition for their support.[41] He became the third President of Pakistan whose family migrated to Pakistan from India after the Partition of India.[2] On 5 September 2018, he relinquished his National Assembly seat.[42] On 9 September, he replaced Mamnoon Hussain and was sworn in as 13th President of Pakistan.[43] On 17 September, he addressed the National Assembly for the first time in his capacity as president.[44]

With Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during the 18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, October 2019

In 2018, he started the Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence & Computing (PIAIC).[45]

On 8 September 2023, Alvi marked the conclusion of his five-year term as the country's fourth democratically elected president. However, he continued in office beyond this date due to the absence of an electoral college required to elect his successor. This made him the second President in the country's history to have an extended term.[46]

His term as President of Pakistan ended on 8 March 2024.[47]

Political conflicts

[edit]
Conferring the Nishan-e-Pakistan on Mufaddal Saifuddin, December 2023

On 3 April 2022, he dissolved the National Assembly of Pakistan on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan,[48] in order to prevent the moving of the scheduled no-confidence motion that intended to remove Khan from the office of PM. The dissolution was appealed to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, which declared the move unconstitutional and restored the National Assembly on 7 April,[49] which then proceeded to carry out the no-confidence motion on the night of 9 April. The motion was successful after 174 MNAs voted in its favour (172 were needed), thus ending Imran Khan's term as prime minister.[50] Alvi was criticized for this move and the Supreme Court also declared Alvi's decision "contrary to the Constitution and the law and of no legal effect".[51]

In April 2022, President Alvi faced criticism for missing the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif due to illness. Some accused him of showing bias towards the PTI instead of fulfilling his duties impartially according to the Constitution.[51][52]

In August 2023, Arif Alvi declined to sign into law two bills, the Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023 and the Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023.[53] However, in a surprising disclosure, Alvi later revealed that he withheld his signature on these bills due to his disagreement with their provisions. He further asserted that his staff at the President House had acted against his directives, undermining his authority.[54] This caused controversy because, according to the Constitution, Alvi should have either approved or rejected the bills within ten days. But the bills were confirmed later without his clear decision.[51]

With Prince William and Princess Kate at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, October 2019

In March 2024, Alvi faced criticism for violating the Constitution when he delayed summoning a session of the National Assembly for newly elected MNAs to take oath following the 2024 Pakistani general election. He waited until the last moment to do so after twice rejecting summaries from the caretaker prime minister, citing concerns over the allocation of reserved seats to PTI.[51]

The Friday Times wrote that Alvi's presidency was marked by a troubled legacy riddled with controversies and disputes with elected governments and state institutions. He was often viewed as a president who closely aligned himself with his party, the PTI, rather than serving as a unifying figure for the nation.[51] The News in its editorial wrote that despite criticism from legal experts, the judiciary, and political opponents, Alvi's presidency faced allegations of prioritizing party interests over national concerns. These factors may shape how history perceives his time in office.[52]

Personal life

[edit]

Alvi is married to Samina Alvi. The couple has four married children.[15]

Alvi is an avid reader, with subjects of interest including quantum physics, the fourth industrial revolution, artificial intelligence, blockchain and cloud computing, while in terms of intellectual influences he considers his mentors to be Plato, Karl Marx, Mawdudi and Thomas Piketty.[55]

See also

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Notes

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References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Arif Alvi

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Arif-ur-Rehman Alvi (born 29 July 1949) is a Pakistani politician and dental surgeon who served as the 13th President of Pakistan from 9 September 2018 to 10 March 2024. A founding member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Alvi played a key role in drafting the party's constitution and served as its secretary-general before entering the National Assembly as a member from Karachi in 2013. Alvi's professional background includes a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from De'Montmorency College of Dentistry and a Master of Science in prosthodontics from the University of Michigan, followed by orthodontic training. He practiced dentistry in Karachi and held leadership positions in the Pakistan Dental Association. During his presidency, Alvi completed a full five-year term, a rarity among Pakistani presidents, amid political instability including the ouster of PTI's government in 2022 and subsequent electoral disputes. His tenure involved issuing numerous ordinances and navigating constitutional crises, such as the dissolution of assemblies and disputes over bill assents, often aligning with PTI's positions despite the office's ceremonial nature. Post-presidency, Alvi has remained vocal in support of PTI and its imprisoned leader Imran Khan, critiquing establishment interventions in politics.

Early life and education

Family background and upbringing

Arif Alvi was born on 29 July 1949 in , , into a family with roots in pre-Partition British India. His father, Dr. Habib ur Rehman Elahi Alvi (also known as Dr. Elahi Alvi), was a who practiced in and reportedly served as the personal to India's first prime minister, , prior to the 1947 Partition; the family possesses letters from Nehru to Alvi's father attesting to this association. Following Partition, Alvi's migrated to and settled in , establishing a dental clinic in , where the family resided. was a familial profession, influencing Alvi's own career path. Alvi's early upbringing occurred in , where he completed his initial schooling amid the post-Partition urban environment of the city. Limited public details exist on his mother or siblings, though his later engaged in political activities in .

Academic and professional training

Arif Alvi completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at in , an affiliate institution of the University of Punjab. He then pursued postgraduate training in the United States, undertaking a two-year program at the School of Dentistry, where he earned a degree in in 1975. Alvi further specialized by completing a in from the Arthur A. Dugoni of at the University of the Pacific in , , in 1984.

Professional career

Dentistry and contributions to healthcare

Arif Alvi earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from de', an affiliate of the University of Punjab in . He subsequently obtained a degree in from the University of of in 1975. Alvi further specialized in , completing a program at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni of in 1984. Alvi comes from a family with a multi-generational tradition in dentistry; his father, Dr. Habib ur Rehman Elahi Alvi, practiced in before Partition and served as dentist to . Following this legacy, Alvi established and led a prominent dental practice in , known as Alvi Dental Hospital, which evolved into a state-of-the-art facility emphasizing advanced techniques. With over 55 years of professional experience by 2024, he specialized in and , maintaining clinical operations even amid political commitments. In professional leadership, Alvi served as Dean of at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and as President of the Dental Association. He chaired the inaugural International Dental Conference in 1981, fostering international collaboration in dental advancements. Alvi advocated for preventive oral healthcare, emphasizing early detection and optimal practices in interviews and professional engagements, drawing from his clinical expertise to promote systemic improvements in dental care standards.

Involvement in sports and business

In his youth, Arif Alvi actively participated in multiple , including , squash, and hockey. He maintained a personal enthusiasm for athletics, engaging in casual games into later years while also following events. Alvi's activities centered on the establishment and operation of Alvi Dental, a private clinic offering prosthodontic and general dental services in , which functioned as a family-run enterprise before his deeper political commitments. He stepped back from direct involvement in the practice upon his election as president in September 2018 to adhere to constitutional norms on conflicts of interest. No other significant commercial ventures beyond this dental are documented in his pre-political professional record.

Political career

Founding and early role in PTI

Arif Alvi was among the founding members of (PTI), established by on 25 April 1996 in as a aimed at combating and promoting . As a close associate of Khan, Alvi played a key role in the party's initial organizational setup, including serving on the central executive council from its inception. Alvi contributed significantly to the foundational documents of PTI, regarded as one of the authors of the party's , which was formally drafted and approved in 1999. His involvement helped shape the party's structure and ideological framework during its early years, when PTI positioned itself as an alternative amid widespread disillusionment with established political entities. In PTI's inaugural participation in 1997, Alvi contested a seat from but received 2,200 votes, finishing third and losing to the incumbent. By 2001, his stature within the party grew, leading to his appointment as , a position that underscored his early leadership contributions amid PTI's struggles to gain electoral traction.

Electoral activities and parliamentary service

Alvi first entered electoral politics in 1977, contesting a Sindh Assembly seat from on a ticket, but lost the . As a founding member and early leader of (PTI), established in 1996, he engaged in party organizational work amid PTI's initial struggles, though records of specific National Assembly contests in the 1997, 2002, or 2008 general elections are limited, with PTI securing minimal seats nationally during those periods. In the 2013 general elections, Alvi won the National Assembly seat for NA-250 (Karachi South-III) on a PTI ticket, defeating competitors by a substantial margin of over 44,000 votes. During his parliamentary term from June 2013 to May 2018, he maintained consistent attendance and actively participated in debates, advocating for improvements in education, healthcare, , and minority protections, positioning himself as one of PTI's more engaged lawmakers. Alvi was re-elected to the in the July general elections, representing the same constituency, and served from August until September , when he resigned following his election as .

Presidency

Election and assumption of office

Arif Alvi, the nominee of the (PTI) party led by , was elected as the 13th on September 4, . The election occurred via an consisting of members from the , , and the four provincial assemblies, following PTI's formation of government after the July 25, , general elections. Alvi secured 353 electoral votes, surpassing the combined total of his opponents. The main challengers were Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, backed by a joint opposition alliance including PML-N and JUI-F, who received 184 votes, and of the (PPP), who obtained 124 votes. Voting took place amid opposition claims of irregularities in the preceding parliamentary elections, though the presidential poll proceeded without significant disruptions to the vote count. Alvi's victory reflected PTI's majority in the federal legislature and key provincial assemblies, particularly in and . Alvi assumed office on September 9, 2018, taking the oath administered by Mian at the in . The ceremony was attended by , outgoing President , military chiefs, and other dignitaries. In his post-oath remarks, Alvi emphasized his role as president for the entire nation, transcending party lines, and pledged to uphold the . As required by the , Alvi resigned his seat in the upon assuming the presidency.

Key domestic policies and initiatives

During his presidency from September 2018 to March 2024, Arif Alvi prioritized advocacy for investments in and as foundational to national development, emphasizing and access to basic facilities. In June 2022, he urged enhanced focus on these sectors in , stating that providing and services to all citizens was essential for progress. He called for a comprehensive national plan to address systemic challenges, including partnerships like the five-year program (2023-2027) aimed at strengthening and infrastructure, which had already provided safe to over 1.1 million people by early 2024. Alvi advocated shifting toward models to tackle health issues proactively, describing it as a critical need in February 2024 amid rising non-communicable diseases. Alvi promoted initiatives targeting vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and the differently-abled, linking these to broader empowerment and inclusion goals. He stressed that , and financial independence were vital for , as articulated in March 2021 and reiterated in February 2024, while calling for institutional reforms to protect against and ensure equal under Islamic principles. For , comprising a demographic bulge, he advocated quality and skill-building to harness it as an economic asset, urging an enabling environment for intellectual growth in February 2024. In April 2022, he pushed for specialized educational tools, such as for the visually impaired, and efforts to integrate and out-of-school into mainstream systems through constructive activities. Additionally, in February 2023, he called for collaborative action on prevention and treatment, highlighting its under-addressed prevalence in . On economic and environmental fronts, Alvi supported domestic and measures aligned with PTI priorities. In , he praised the administration's economic policies during a joint parliamentary session, emphasizing geo-economics, regional connectivity, and efforts as drivers of revival, while urging citizens to prioritize "Made in " products to ease currency pressures. For , he advocated energy efficiency, renewable sources, and in December 2023, committing to targets like 30% by 2030 as pledged in 2019. In January 2023, he aligned drives with the UN 2030 Agenda, viewing as a poverty-reduction tool. These efforts, often delivered through speeches and ordinances like the 2021 Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority for educational outreach, reflected his ceremonial yet influential role in promoting development over direct legislative power.

Foreign relations and international engagements

During his presidency from 2018 to 2024, Arif Alvi participated in ceremonial diplomatic engagements aimed at reinforcing Pakistan's ties with key allies, particularly in the Muslim world, , and , though executive foreign policy authority rested primarily with the and foreign ministry. Alvi emphasized expanding cooperation in , , and with friendly nations, as stated in multiple official addresses. His engagements often focused on multilateral forums and bilateral meetings to promote connectivity, , and people-to-people contacts. Alvi's notable state visits included his inaugural foreign trip to in October 2018, where he attended the opening of Istanbul's third airport and held discussions to strengthen brotherly relations, including support for on core issues like . In March 2020, he visited to underscore enduring strategic partnership amid global challenges. Other trips encompassed in 2019 for bilateral talks with President , the in October 2021 to inaugurate Pakistan's pavilion and meet the , in November 2021 for a regional summit, and , where he hosted President in for discussions on mutual interests. He also received delegations, such as Iraq's foreign minister in 2022, to discuss regional stability. Alvi voiced Pakistan's positions on international issues, valuing longstanding U.S. relations while prioritizing security-driven engagements. In October 2023, he urged the global community to de-escalate Israel- tensions, calling for an active role in efforts. A statement proposing a "" for drew diplomatic attention as a deviation from Pakistan's traditional two-state advocacy, though it aligned with broader PTI critiques of international inaction. Alvi also issued messages marking the UN's 75th anniversary, reaffirming Pakistan's commitment to .

Dissolution of assemblies and electoral oversight

On 3 April 2022, President Arif Alvi dissolved the on the advice of under Article 58(1) of the , following the government's loss of a parliamentary majority amid an impending no-confidence motion. This action also extended to the dissolution of the provincial assemblies of , , , and , as recommended by their respective chief ministers, with the stated intent to hold fresh elections within 90 days. The invalidated the dissolution on 7 April 2022, ruling it unconstitutional and ordering the assembly's reinstatement, which facilitated the successful passage of the no-confidence motion against Khan on 10 April. In August 2023, Alvi again dissolved the on 9 August, acting on the advice of after the completion of the assembly's five-year term, initiating the process for general elections originally scheduled by mid-February 2024. This dissolution occurred amid political tensions, including delays attributed to the of Pakistan's concerns over updated electoral rolls and security issues, postponing polls to late February. Alvi's involvement in electoral oversight drew criticism for perceived partisanship, particularly in announcing dates for provincial elections. On 3 March 2023, he scheduled assembly polls for 30 April despite the Election Commission's recommendation for May, prompting accusations of overreach from opposition parties and legal challenges. Similarly, on 21 February 2023, Alvi set elections for 27 May, bypassing caretaker governments' consultations, which the later addressed in related petitions. In June 2022, Alvi returned unsigned an election reforms bill passed by the , objecting to provisions that reversed prior (PTI) amendments on machines and overseas ballots, citing the need for parliamentary consensus. The rebuked Alvi in November 2023 for endorsing unsubstantiated claims of electoral manipulation raised by PTI supporters ahead of the February 2024 polls, describing his actions as "inappropriate" and potentially undermining institutional neutrality. Alvi's term extended beyond its 8 September 2023 expiry due to the absence of a new post-dissolution, allowing him to oversee the transition to a caretaker administration under Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, tasked with conducting the delayed elections.

Controversies and criticisms

Disputes over bill assent and executive actions

In August 2023, President Arif Alvi publicly denied providing assent to the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the (Amendment) Bill 2023, both of which had been passed by prior to the dissolution of the on August 9. These amendments sought to expand prosecutorial powers for offenses against the state, including and under the , and to extend military court to civilians for certain cases. Alvi stated on social media platform X that he had instructed his staff to return the bills unsigned to , asserting "as is my witness" that he neither signed nor assented to them, and accused his secretariat of failing to execute his directive, leading to a potential "deemed assent" under procedural delays. This sparked constitutional debate, as Article 75 of Pakistan's Constitution allows the president to withhold assent or return bills for reconsideration, but inaction beyond specified timelines could imply approval; legal experts criticized the secretariat's handling and urged inquiries into the irregularity. Alvi subsequently dismissed his principal secretary, Naweed Akram, on August 21, 2023, citing negligence in the bill-handling process as the reason, while reiterating that the staff's override undermined his authority. The president's office requested an investigation into the matter, disputing claims of mishandling and emphasizing standard protocols where bills are routed through advisors before presidential review. Alvi maintained his position into October 2023, standing by the denial amid ongoing scrutiny from opposition figures and analysts who viewed the bills as tools to suppress dissent amid political tensions following the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) fallout with the establishment. Earlier disputes included Alvi's refusal on April 8, 2023, to assent to the (Practice and Procedure) Bill 2023, which aimed to curtail the chief justice's discretionary power to constitute benches by introducing a committee-based . He returned unsigned, invoking his constitutional prerogative under Article 75(1)(b), arguing it required further parliamentary reconsideration due to potential overreach on . This action aligned with PTI's broader resistance to legislative efforts by the to reform judicial practices perceived as favoring opposition challenges. On August 16, 2023, Alvi returned 13 additional bills unsigned to , including the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2023, which would have empowered the chief commissioner in administrative matters, and others related to financial and regulatory reforms. These returns were framed as exercises of presidential discretion to ensure bills underwent proper scrutiny, though critics from the ruling (PDM) coalition accused Alvi of partisanship, given his affiliation with PTI, in delaying or blocking measures amid the lead-up to general . No formal legal challenges overturned these actions, but they contributed to perceptions of executive friction between the presidency and legislature during a period of heightened political instability.

Allegations of constitutional overreach and partisanship

During his tenure as from September 2018 to March 2024, Arif Alvi faced allegations of constitutional overreach, particularly in actions perceived as favoring the (PTI) party and its leader over impartial constitutional duties. Critics, including opposition figures and legal petitioners, accused him of prioritizing partisan loyalty, such as dissolving the in April 2022 on Khan's advice under Article 58(1) of the Constitution, despite a pending no-confidence motion against the prime minister. This move, executed on April 3, 2022, triggered fresh elections but was swiftly challenged; the ruled on April 7, 2022, that the dissolution was unconstitutional, of no legal effect, and a violation of parliamentary supremacy, reinstating the assembly and mandating a vote on the no-confidence resolution. The 2022 crisis exemplified broader claims of overreach, with detractors arguing Alvi subverted democratic processes to obstruct opposition efforts, emasculating institutional norms in service of PTI interests. Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed Rabbani, in September 2023, publicly accused Alvi of multiple constitutional violations, including failing to convene sessions or assent to legislation promptly, thereby breaching oaths to uphold the Constitution impartially. A petition filed in the Supreme Court on November 25, 2023, by Ghulam Murtaza Khan sought Alvi's removal, alleging gross misconduct such as evasion of duties, including delays in electoral processes and partisan interference, rendering him unfit under Article 46. Partisanship allegations intensified post-Khan's ouster, with Alvi criticized for embodying PTI activism rather than federation neutrality; for instance, he cited illness to skip administering the oath to on April 11, 2022, a ceremonial duty symbolizing continuity. The rebuked Alvi in November 2023 for echoing Khan's unsubstantiated claims of electoral rigging in , actions deemed inappropriate for a and suggestive of bias against the caretaker government. Opponents, including analysts in Pakistani media, contended these patterns reflected systemic PTI influence, where Alvi's decisions—such as seeking advisory opinions on parliamentary defections in March 2022—served to prolong PTI's hold amid political turmoil, undermining the presidency's ceremonial and unifying role as defined in the 1973 Constitution. Defenders within PTI portrayed these as principled stands against alleged overreach, but judicial rebukes, including the Supreme Court's 2022 verdict, lent empirical weight to overreach claims, highlighting Alvi's term as one marked by repeated constitutional friction rather than restraint.

Conflicts with judicial and military institutions

On April 3, 2022, President Arif Alvi dissolved the on the advice of following the speaker's ruling against a no-confidence motion, triggering a . The unanimously declared the dissolution unconstitutional on April 7, 2022, restoring the assembly and ordering the no-confidence vote to proceed, which led to Khan's ouster. This ruling highlighted Alvi's alignment with PTI's strategy against perceived opposition maneuvers, but it underscored repeated judicial checks on his executive actions, with the court deeming several of his decisions during his tenure as violations of constitutional norms. Further tensions arose in April 2023 when Alvi twice returned the (Practice and Procedure) Bill, 2023, to without assent—first on April 8 and again on April 19—arguing it required reconsideration amid ongoing cases challenging its validity. The bill sought to regulate the chief justice's powers, including bench formation and suo motu notices, but Alvi's refusals delayed its implementation and fueled accusations of partisanship, as PTI opposed measures perceived to undermine against government overreach. In November 2023, a was filed in the seeking Alvi's removal for alleged , including these delays and prior unconstitutional acts, though no ruling materialized before his term ended. Regarding military institutions, Alvi publicly denied on August 20, 2023, signing the Amendment Bill, 2023, and the Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill, 2023, stating he disagreed with provisions expanding courts' jurisdiction to try s for offenses against armed forces property or personnel—measures aimed at addressing post-May 9, 2023, riots linked to PTI supporters. His office claimed the bills lapsed into law after 10 days without presidential action per Article 75(1) of the , but Alvi's assertion of non-assent, invoking "God as my witness," accused his staff of misrepresentation and spotlighted his resistance to bolstering prosecutorial powers amid PTI's broader fallout with . These bills ultimately enabled trials for over 100 s, a process Alvi's stance implicitly critiqued as eroding judicial oversight.

Post-presidency

Advocacy and political commentary

Following his departure from the presidency on March 9, 2024, Arif Alvi maintained an active role in public discourse, primarily advancing the (PTI) perspective on electoral legitimacy and institutional accountability. On March 10, 2024, shortly after handing over charge to successor , Alvi declared his willingness to face proceedings under Article 6 of the Constitution for decisions such as dissolving the on advice from then-Prime Minister and declining to summon sessions amid post-election disputes. He also reiterated opposition to the judicial reference against Chief Justice , consistent with Khan's stance, and cautioned against dissolving the PTI-led Assembly, arguing such moves undermined constitutional processes. In May 2024, Alvi articulated Khan's precondition for negotiations, stating that dialogue would occur only with "empowered" entities capable of substantive concessions, implicitly referencing military influence rather than the coalition government, which he described as illegitimate due to alleged manipulations via altered election Form-47 results. He warned of escalating instability, drawing parallels to the 1971 crisis, and emphasized the need for restoring constitutional supremacy to avert economic collapse and investor flight, attributing turmoil to individual leadership errors rather than institutional failures. Alvi extended his commentary internationally in early 2025. During a visit to the , he met lawmakers, academics, and media outlets, briefing them on PTI's claims of in the 2024 polls and systemic , as part of broader efforts to lobby for Khan's release and highlight issues under the current administration. In an April 11, 2025, interview with , Alvi called for a democratic restoration, noting PTI's openness to talks on future elections while underscoring Khan's popularity—estimated by party sources at up to 90%—and criticizing media curbs that suppressed Khan's visibility. By October 2025, Alvi's rhetoric intensified, with a public address decrying Pakistan's political environment as more repressive than during his presidency, focusing on eroded justice mechanisms and freedoms amid ongoing PTI challenges. His commentary consistently framed the post-2024 government as imposed through irregularities, prioritizing PTI's advocacy for electoral transparency and Khan's leadership over reconciliation with opponents lacking "real power." Following the end of his presidential term on March 9, 2024, Arif Alvi expressed willingness to face trial under Article 6 of the , which pertains to high for alleged violations such as the dissolution of the in April 2022, a decision later overturned by the . In July 2024, the Pakistani government announced plans to file a treason reference against Alvi and former under Article 6, citing their roles in events perceived as undermining constitutional order. On December 5, 2024, the granted Alvi protective bail for 20 days in three cases registered against him in , requiring a surety of Rs50,000, amid concerns over potential arrests linked to his PTI affiliations and post-presidency statements. In October 2025, Alvi petitioned the for lifelong allotment of an in as a former president, prompting the court to issue notices to relevant authorities including the Attorney General; a hearing was scheduled to address possession and maintenance entitlements under constitutional provisions. Publicly, Alvi has remained active in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) matters, heading a party committee in August 2024 tasked with reconciling internal rifts and proposing structural reforms, though he initially expressed reluctance to mediate factional disputes. In February 2025, he traveled to the to engage with lawmakers and media outlets, highlighting alleged and electoral irregularities in to raise international awareness of PTI's grievances. On April 23, 2025, Alvi issued a statement vowing to counter any foreign attempts to falsely implicate in global issues, framing such efforts as threats to national sovereignty. In October 2025, Alvi delivered a public address criticizing the state of and political justice in , emphasizing the need for accountability and democratic restoration while decrying perceived institutional biases against PTI figures. These engagements reflect Alvi's continued alignment with PTI's narrative on electoral transparency and institutional overreach, often delivered through speeches and media interactions rather than formal party roles.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Arif Alvi has been married to Samina Alvi since around 1973; the couple, who are distant cousins, knew each other prior to their selected by their parents. They have four children—two sons and two daughters—all married and settled with families. Alvi taught his children during grades 9 through 12, while Samina Alvi focused on their grooming and emphasized education before encouraging broader life experiences. Among the children are son Dr. Awab Alvi, married to Sadiqa Awab Alvi; daughter Dr. Naima Alvi Bawany, married to Kamran Bawany; and daughter Dr. Radhia Alvi Sumar, married to Zaki Sumar. The family includes several grandchildren, whom Alvi has described as a source of great joy, and he enjoys spending time with them. Alvi's father, Dr. Habib ur Rehman Elahi Alvi, was a who treated India's first Jawaharlal Nehru before the 1947 partition, after which the family settled in .

Philanthropy and religious activities

Alvi has engaged in philanthropic activities largely through his background as a , including support for initiatives providing affordable dental care to underprivileged communities. In September 2021, he inaugurated the Pakistan Dental Association's Gujranwala Dental Welfare Complex and Mobile Dental Clinic, aimed at delivering treatment to low-income patients in . He has served as a for multiple charitable organizations and participated in broader philanthropic efforts, as noted in biographical accounts from his political affiliations. In religious matters, Alvi entered politics in 1979 by contesting elections on the ticket in , reflecting early alignment with Islamist political activism. Throughout his presidency, he advocated for and , emphasizing that promotes peace, brotherhood, and non-interference in others' faiths while condemning and . He supported , including full freedom for religious practices, and criticized international acts perceived as anti-Islamic, such as Quran desecrations and discriminatory policies against Muslims in . Alvi also engaged in discussions on Islamic issues, including and under , in dialogues with religious scholars.

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