Out-of-context portrayals create more division in an already polarized atmosphere: President Alvi

ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (SABAH): 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 Ms Asma Shirazi, Anchor Aaj TV, on Monday (10-10-2022) was grossly misquoted and wrongly highlighted.

In his interview, President Dr. Arif Alvi clearly said that he had suspicions about a conspiracy but of course, certainty could only be established after a thorough investigation was done.

He said, “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 referred the matter to Supreme Court not because he had no suspicions about a conspiracy, but because he ‘had suspicions’ as the matter was raised by the ex-PM of the country and an impartial investigation was necessary including all the circumstantial evidence available.

He said, “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”.

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.