ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s outgoing President, Dr. Arif Alvi, leaves behind a legacy of political polarization, controversial ordinances and unflinching loyalty to his party leader, the jailed ex-premier Imran Khan, as termed by political parties and analysts on Friday, who called his over five-year tenure partial and contentious.
Dr. Alvi, who was sworn in as the 13th head of the Pakistani state on September 9, 2018, saw his five-year term end last year. However, he remained in office until Friday due to the absence of national and provincial legislatures, which, along with the Senate, constitute the electoral college for the presidency.
The presidential election is now set for today, Saturday, with the ruling alliance nominating the former president and co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari against Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The latter is backed by Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) alliance for the coveted position.
A dentist by profession, Alvi entered politics in 1979 to participate in the elections on the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) ticket from Karachi, but the contest was called off following a military coup by former army chief General Zia-ul-Haq. He later resigned from JI and became one of the founding members of PTI in 1996, eventually serving as its Sindh president.
Despite unsuccessful bids for a provincial seat in Karachi in the 1997 and 2002 elections, and PTI’s boycott of the 2008 national elections under another military ruler, General (r) Pervez Musharraf, Alvi’s political journey ascended. He secured a National Assembly seat from Karachi in 2013 on a PTI ticket and became an active parliament member. In 2018, he won against Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) heavyweight Dr. Farooq Sattar for a national seat as PTI gained a majority, enabling it to form a government at the center and in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
As one of Khan’s closest confidants, Alvi was nominated for the presidency due to his reputation as a hardworking legislator and a loyal party member, although the President’s role in Pakistan is largely ceremonial. While his party lauds him as “one of the best” presidents, his detractors criticize his tenure for allegedly disregarding the constitution.
“I believe he was one of the best presidents we have had in recent times, full of intellect and wisdom,” Zulfi Bukhari, a PTI member and Khan’s close friend, told Arab News. “I wish he had more in his power to help the cause of Imran Khan, democracy and rule of law in Pakistan.”
Conversely, Khurram Dastgir, a senior member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former federal minister, described Alvi’s presidency as “diminished, marred by contempt for the constitution and blatant partisanship.”
“He emasculated Pakistan’s democracy with recurring unconstitutional actions, favoring his party over his symbolic role as the federation’s unifier,” Dastgir commented, criticizing Alvi’s tenure as marred by incompetence and bad faith.
Opponents accuse the President of undertaking “illegal and unconstitutional steps” to serve his party and leader. Alvi dissolved the National Assembly in April 2022 on Khan’s advice, amid a looming no-confidence motion. The Supreme Court later reversed this decision, reinstating the assembly. However, Alvi refrained from administering the oath of office to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, opting for sick leave instead.
Following the recent general elections on February 8, Alvi delayed convening the National Assembly session for the swearing-in of newly elected legislators, attributing his decision to unresolved issues regarding the allocation of reserved seats to the PTI-SIC alliance.
“The President violated his oath and the constitution by taking these illegal and unconstitutional steps to please his party and the leader,” PPP secretary-information Faisal Karim Kundi told Arab News.
“President Alvi is leaving behind a legacy of political polarization as he failed to build consensus among political parties as the head of the state on major issues like the elections,” he continued, adding Alvi neither served his party nor the country well.
Dr. Farooq Adil, a former adviser to the President, noted that Alvi, utilized by his party to issue numerous ordinances, faced criticism for transforming the presidency into an ‘ordinance factory,’ bypassing parliament. Alvi promulgated over 70 ordinances during the PTI’s tenure from August 2018 to April 2022, detracting from the presidency’s stature.
“The president failed to act like a true representative of the state,” he told Arab News. “Instead, he preferred Imran Khan’s loyalty over the national interests in many crucial matters.”
Adil said Alvi would be remembered as a loyal worker of Khan “who reduced the stature of the presidency through his partisan acts.”
Another controversy arose last August when Alvi denied signing two crucial bills, accusing his staff of overriding his authority.
“As God is my witness, I did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill, 2023 and Pakistan Army Amendment Bill, 2023 as I disagreed with these laws,” Alvi said in an X post after the government notified both of the bills had become laws.
The bills, which give the authorities more power to prosecute people for acts against the state and its military, were approved by both houses of parliament and sent to the president for his approval.
Alvi’s leader and ex-premier Khan was later charged and handed down 10-year in prison under an earlier version of the Official Secrets Act on charges of leaking state secrets to the public. Dozens of PTI workers and leaders are were also charged under the Army Act for their involvement in violence last year in May when people attacked military installations in different cities following Khan’s arrest in a graft case.
“He was a controversial president not only for the opposition, but also for his party as he preferred to clinging to power instead of resigning from his position when his colleagues and party workers were put behind bars,” Munizae Jahangir, political analyst and TV talk-show host, told Arab News.
However, she lauded his role for speaking up for women’s rights, especially their land rights.
“He won’t be remembered as independent and impartial president,” she added. “He even failed to make an effective gesture through his resignation during the state crackdown on his party.”
Former Pakistan President Arif Alvi leaves legacy of controversy and polarization
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Former Pakistan President Arif Alvi leaves legacy of controversy and polarization

- President Alvi retires after serving over five years in office, with his leader and ex-PM Imran Khan in jail with PTI supporters
- Alvi’s critics say he ‘emasculated’ Pakistan’s democracy with unconstitutional steps, prioritized party loyalty over his duties
IT ministry says Microsoft shifting to partner-led delivery model, not retreating from Pakistan

- The statement follows reports about the closure of Microsoft’s office and lay-off of its employees in Pakistan
- Islamabad to engage with tech giant to ensure any structural changes strengthen its commitment to local customers
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s information technology (IT) ministry said on Saturday that global tech giant Microsoft was not retreating from the Pakistani market and was only moving to a partner-led, cloud-based delivery model in the South Asian country.
The statement followed media reports about the closure of Microsoft’s office and lay-off of a small number of employees in Pakistan, sparked by a LinkedIn post by a former head of Microsoft in the country.
The Pakistani IT ministry said the tech giant had shifted its licensing and commercial-contract management for Pakistan to its European hub in Ireland in recent years, while its day-to-day service delivery had been handled entirely by certified local partners.
“Against that backdrop, we understand Microsoft is now reviewing the future of its liaison office in Pakistan as part of a wider workforce-optimization program,” the IT ministry said in a statement.
“This would reflect a long-signalled strategy, consolidating direct headcount and moving toward a partner-led, cloud-based delivery model, rather than a retreat from the Pakistani market.”
Pakistan’s IT sector has witnessed a significant growth in recent years, reaching $3.4 million from July 2024 till May 2025, compared to $2.9 million during the same period the previous year, according to the Pakistani central bank.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has been striving to further increase these exports to support the $350 billion economy, and the IT ministry sought to allay concerns about the clousure of the Microsoft office.
It said the global pivot from on-premise software (transactional deals) to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) continues to reshape how technology firms structure their international operations, and Microsoft is no exception.
“Pakistan’s Ministry of IT & Telecom recognizes the strategic value of having leading global technology providers active in the country,” the ministry said.
“We will continue to engage Microsoft’s regional and global leadership to ensure that any structural changes strengthen, rather than diminish, Microsoft’s long term commitment to Pakistani customers, developers and channel partners.”
Met Office issues GLOF alert for northern Pakistan amid rising temperatures

- Hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of Pakistan in the last 24 hours
- Monsoon rains and glacier melt caused deadly floods in 2022, affecting 33 million
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday issued an alert regarding possible Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Pakistan’s northern areas, amid rising temperatures in the country.
Hot and humid weather prevailed over most parts of Pakistan and isolated falls of rain were recorded in Punjab, Azad Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh in the last 24 hours.
Nokkundi in Balochistan recorded the highest temperature on Friday 47°C, followed by 46°C in Bunji in Gilgit-Baltistan, and 45 in Dalbandin, Sibbi and Jacobabad, according to the PMD.
“Due to a significant rise in temperatures and upcoming system in northern Pakistan, the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) is very likely to increase in glaciated areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” it said.
“The persistent high temperatures may accelerate snow and glacier melt and subsequent weather events, potentially triggering GLOF and flash floods incidents, in vulnerable valleys and surrounding regions.”
The development comes as Pakistan braces for an extreme monsoon season that usually lasts till mid-September, with over 60 people killed in rains and floods in a little more than a week.
“All concerned are advised to remain alert and take necessary measures to avoid any untoward situation,” the PMD said in its alert.
Pakistan, home to over 240 million people, is consistently ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
In 2022, record-breaking monsoon rains and glacier melt caused catastrophic floods that affected 33 million people, killed more than 1,700 and caused over $30 billion in financial losses.
Death toll from Pakistan building collapse rises to 15

- Friday’s incident was the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi
- It laid bare the issue of unsafe housing in the city, home to over 20 million people
KARACHI: The death toll from a five-storey building collapse in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi rose to 15 on Saturday, officials said, after rescuers pulled more bodies from the rubble overnight.
The Fotan Mansion residential building, where several families were said to be living, crumbled shortly around 10am on Friday in the impoverished Lyari neighborhood of the city.
Rescue workers, along with residents of the area, continued their operation to find survivors and bodies through the night, once again laying bare the issue of unsafe housing in Karachi.
“Rescue operation still continues at Baghdadi Lyari where the building had collapsed yesterday,” Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said. “As of now the death toll is 15.”
The building collapse left around a dozen other people injured.
Many of the occupants were members of the low-income Hindu minority community and residents estimated that around 40 people were inside when the building collapsed.
According to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Fotan Mansion had been declared unsafe as far back as 2022.
“This building was declared dangerous by the SBCA in 2022 and had been served multiple notices over the years,” SBCA spokesperson Shakeel Dogar told Arab News. “Before the recent rains, public announcements were also made in the area, but unfortunately, no one was willing to vacate.”
Friday’s incident is the latest in a string of deadly building collapses in Karachi.
In February 2020, a five-storey building collapsed in Rizvia Society, killing at least 27 people. The following month, another residential structure came down in Gulbahar, claiming 16 lives. In June 2021, a three-storey building in Malir collapsed, killing four. And just last year, in August, a building collapse in Qur'angi led to at least three deaths.
Mayor Wahab said on Friday evening that rescue efforts remained their top priority, with accountability and investigation to follow.
“Once we’re done with the rescue aspect, we will focus on who was responsible for this negligence or omission,” he added.
Pakistan seeks Saudi investment in agri-infrastructure, eyes long-term food security

- Pakistan proposes joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency
- It highlights commitment to climate-adaptive agriculture amid environmental degradation
KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday urged Saudi Arabia to invest in agricultural research and storage infrastructure as part of a broader push for sustainable food security, according to an official statement.
The call was made during a meeting between Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki in Islamabad, following the launch ceremony of the third phase of the Saudi Food Security Support Project in Pakistan.
“Rana Tanveer Hussain shared Pakistan’s long-term vision for achieving sustainable food security through investment in agricultural research, innovation and modernized farming systems,” said the statement circulated after the meeting.
“The Minister proposed deeper collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in key areas such as joint agricultural research, technological exchange and investment in food processing and storage infrastructure,” it added.
Hussain also highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to improving irrigation practices and promoting climate-adaptive agriculture to address the growing challenges posed by environmental degradation.
He invited Saudi investors to explore opportunities in agri-based projects, particularly in high-yield zones, and called for institutional cooperation between universities and research centers in both countries.
The minister also proposed joint work on desert agriculture, seed development and water efficiency, describing them as high-impact areas for regional collaboration.
Earlier, he distributed food baskets to families under the Saudi Food Security Support Project and interacted with recipients.
Now in its third phase, the Saudi-backed initiative is delivering essential food supplies to thousands of households across Pakistan, providing much-needed relief amid climate-related challenges.
Azerbaijan signs $2 billion investment agreements with Pakistan on sidelines of ECO summit

- Development came after sustained engagement between Pakistani and Azerbaijani officials recently
- PM Shehbaz Sharif also held separate meetings with the presidents of Turkiye, Iran and Uzbekistan
ISLAMABAD: Azerbaijan signed investment agreements worth $2 billion with Pakistan on Friday to boost economic cooperation, said an official statement released in Islamabad, in a major development during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to the Central Asian state for the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit.
The two-day summit, hosted in Khankendi, Azerbaijan, focused on a sustainable and climate-resilient future for the region.
In his address, Sharif warned that climate change posed an existential threat to ECO member states, highlighting the impact of melting glaciers, floods, desertification and declining crop yields. He also emphasized more trade, tourism and regional integration to enhance economic prosperity.
“In the presence of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov signed agreements for $2 billion of investment in Pakistan’s economic sector from Azerbaijan,” the PM Office announced in a statement.
The agreements were signed following a bilateral meeting between Sharif and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, with officials hoping for a more detailed agreement during Aliyev’s upcoming visit to Pakistan.
“The agreement has elevated investment and trade relations between the two countries to a historic level and will serve as a guarantee for further strengthening their brotherly ties and commercial partnership,” the official Pakistani statement added.
It also described the development as a result of sustained engagement between Pakistani ministries and diplomats and their Azerbaijani counterparts over recent months.
SIDELINE DIPLOMACY
On the sidelines of the summit, Sharif held separate meetings with the presidents of Turkiye, Iran and Uzbekistan, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional cooperation, peace and connectivity.
In his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, both leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and vowed to accelerate progress in critical areas.
“The two leaders reiterated their resolve to bring about meaningful progress in relations... [emphasizing] the importance of deepening cooperation in trade, defense, energy, connectivity and investment,” said a separate handout by the PM Office.
To advance this agenda, both sides agreed to exchange high-level delegations to finalize understandings reached between the sides.
In another key engagement, the Pakistani prime minister met Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, with both sides reviewing the implementation of previous agreements to strengthen bilateral ties.
Sharif praised Iran’s leadership during the recent conflict with Israel and welcomed Tehran’s decision to agree to a ceasefire.
“The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people and Government of Iran and Pakistan’s strong commitment to continue working closely with Iran for peace in the region through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement said.
In his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Sharif focused on regional integration, energy cooperation, and the Trans-Afghan Railway Project, which is seen as vital for unlocking trade corridors between Central and South Asia.
“The two leaders agreed on visits of their senior ministers to Tashkent and Islamabad to finalize necessary agreements,” the PMO said, adding that both sides viewed their cultural and historical ties as a strong foundation for broader collaboration.