Arif Alvi

His father, Habib-ur-Rehman Elahi Alvi, was a dentist in Delhi, British India who migrated to Karachi after the establishment of Pakistan,{{cite news |last1=Suhail |first1=Riyaz |date=4 September 2018 |title=ڈینٹسٹ سے صدر پاکستان کا سفر |work=BBC News اردو |url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan-45410923 |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-date=6 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906013633/https://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan-45410923 |url-status=live }} and opened a dental clinic in Saddar Town.{{cite news |title=Pakistan new President Arif Alvi is son of Nehru's dentist |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistan-new-president-arif-alvi-son-of-nehrus-dentist-pti-website/articleshow/65677018.cms |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Economic Times |date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211415/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistan-new-president-arif-alvi-son-of-nehrus-dentist-pti-website/articleshow/65677018.cms%20 |url-status=live }} His father became politically affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan.{{cite news |title=ڈاکٹر عارف الرحمان علوی نے سیاسی سفر کا آغاز جماعت اسلامی سے کیا |url=https://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/03-Sep-2018/897941 |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=Nawa-i-Waqt |date=3 September 2018 |language=ur-PK |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904210400/https://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/03-Sep-2018/897941 |archive-date=4 September 2018 |url-status=dead }} According to the website of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Alvi's father was a dentist of Jawaharlal Nehru.{{cite web |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/209950-dr-arif-alvis-father-was |title=Dr Arif Alvi's father was Jawaharlal Nehru's dentist | Life & Style |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=Geo.tv |date=5 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905175552/https://www.geo.tv/latest/209950-dr-arif-alvis-father-was |url-status=live }}

After his father started a campaign against compulsory Bible classes, he was expelled from Karachi Grammar School.{{cite news |title=Dr Arif Alvi: A sneak peek into the life of a modest president |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1872859/1-dr-arif-alvi-sneak-peek-life-modest-president |access-date=9 January 2019 |work=The Express Tribune |date=23 December 2018 |archive-date=1 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190201014151/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1872859/1-dr-arif-alvi-sneak-peek-life-modest-president/ |url-status=live }} He completed his early education in Karachi,{{cite news |title=ڈاکٹرعارف علوی - طلبہ سیاست سے ایوانِ صدرتک - |url=https://urdu.arynews.tv/president-of-pakistan-dr-arif-alvi/ |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=ARY News |date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211458/https://urdu.arynews.tv/president-of-pakistan-dr-arif-alvi/ |url-status=live }} and moved to Lahore in 1967 for education in dentistry. 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.{{cite news |title=The cleric, the lawyer and the partyman |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1794826/1-presidential-election-cleric-lawyer-partyman/ |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211324/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1794826/1-presidential-election-cleric-lawyer-partyman/ |url-status=live }} Alvi received a master's degree in orthodontics in 1984 from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, California.{{cite news |title=Who is Arif Alvi? |url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/455433-Pakistan-President-Dr-Arif-Alvi-profile |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=Dunya News |date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907074328/http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/455433-Pakistan-President-Dr-Arif-Alvi-profile |archive-date=7 September 2018 |url-status=dead }} After returning to Pakistan, he started practicing dentistry and set up Alvi Dental Hospital.

Alvi is married to Samina Alvi. The couple has four married children.{{cite news |title=Dr Arif ur Rehman Alvi - 10 things to know about the newly elected 13th President of Pakistan |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/455436-Facts-about-Dr-Arif-Alvi-13-elected-President-of-Pakistan-PTI-candidate |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=Dunya News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907072606/https://www.xn--80aefamcydwhacw4nk5bh.com/2020/09/blog-post_93.html |archive-date=7 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}

He's an avid reader, some of his subjects of interests 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.{{Cite web |last=Lakhani |first=Bilal |date=23 December 2018 |title=Dr Arif Alvi: A sneak peek into the life of a modest president |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1872859/dr-arif-alvi-sneak-peek-life-modest-president |website=The Express Tribune}}

In March 2021, he tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after having received the first dose of a vaccine,{{Cite web|date=2021-03-30|title=Pakistan's president, defense minister test positive for COVID-19|url=https://arab.news/9yenr|access-date=2021-03-31|website=Arab News|language=en|archive-date=5 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205003417/https://www.arabnews.com/node/1834191/world|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=President Arif Alvi, Defence Minister Khattak test positive for Covid-19 |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1615318 |access-date=29 August 2022 |work=Dawn |date=29 March 2021 |language=en |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829104658/https://www.dawn.com/news/1615318 |url-status=live }} which was later confirmed to have been a vaccine from Sinopharm.{{cite news |title=Pakistan's President Arif Alvi tests positive for COVID-19 |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/story/pakistan-president-arif-alvi-tests-positive-for-covid-19-292064-2021-03-29 |access-date=29 August 2022 |work=Business Today |date=29 March 2021 |language=en |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829104658/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/story/pakistan-president-arif-alvi-tests-positive-for-covid-19-292064-2021-03-29 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Sabarwal |first1=Harshit |title=Criticism over use of China-made Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines continues to grow |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/criticism-over-use-of-china-made-sinopharm-covid-19-vaccines-continues-to-grow-101617989700980.html |access-date=29 August 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=9 April 2021 |language=en |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829104658/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/criticism-over-use-of-china-made-sinopharm-covid-19-vaccines-continues-to-grow-101617989700980.html |url-status=live }} In January 2022, he contracted COVID-19 again amidst the Omicron wave.{{cite news |title=President Alvi tests positive for Covid-19 for a second time |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1667976 |access-date=29 August 2022 |work=Dawn |date=6 January 2022 |language=en |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829104659/https://www.dawn.com/news/1667976 |url-status=live }}

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.{{cite news |title=Dr Arif Alvi takes oath today |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/366128-dr-arif-alvi-takes-oath-today |access-date=9 September 2018 |work=The News |date=9 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=10 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910054341/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/366128-dr-arif-alvi-takes-oath-today |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |title=Newly-elected President Arif Alvi is son of Nehru's dentist |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/05/newly-elected-president-arif-alvi-is-son-of-nehrus-dentist/ |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=pakistantoday.com.pk |date=5 September 2018 |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905144118/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/05/newly-elected-president-arif-alvi-is-son-of-nehrus-dentist/ |url-status=live }}

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.

file: Shinzo Abe and Arif Alvi at the Enthronement of Naruhito (1).jpg]]

file: Ilham Aliyev met with President of Pakistan Arif Alvi 01.jpg]]

Alvi began his political career as a polling agent and joined a religious party.{{cite news|title=Extraordinary Pakistanis: Dr Arif Alvi|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/909107/extraordinary-pakistanis-dr-arif-alvi/|access-date=26 February 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=25 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226213045/https://tribune.com.pk/story/909107/extraordinary-pakistanis-dr-arif-alvi/|archive-date=26 February 2017}}

While studying at De'Montmorency College of Dentistry, he became an active member of the student unions. He became politically affiliated with Islami Jamiat Talaba, a student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI){{cite news |title=Alvi set to grab presidency in a three-way race |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/292554/alvi-set-to-grab-presidency-in-a-three-way-race/ |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=Daily Times |date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211333/https://dailytimes.com.pk/292554/alvi-set-to-grab-presidency-in-a-three-way-race/ |url-status=live }} and went on to become president of the student union.{{cite news |title=Who is Dr Arif Alvi? |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/363815-who-is-dr-arif-alvi |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The News |date=4 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211340/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/363815-who-is-dr-arif-alvi%20 |url-status=live }} 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.

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

He ran for a seat on the Provincial Assembly of Sindh as a candidate of the JI from a constituency in Karachi in 1979{{cite news |title=Profiles: Pakistan's presidential candidates |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/209414-profiles-pakistans-presidential-candidates |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=Geo News |date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211439/https://www.geo.tv/latest/209414-profiles-pakistans-presidential-candidates%20 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=پروفائلز: صدر پاکستان کے امیدوار کون ہیں؟ |url=https://urdu.geo.tv/latest/189630 |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=Geo News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904125448/https://urdu.geo.tv/latest/189630 |archive-date=4 September 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |title=Arif Alvi set to be elected President today |url=https://nation.com.pk/04-Sep-2018/arif-alvi-set-to-be-elected-president-today |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Nation |date=4 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904045624/https://nation.com.pk/04-Sep-2018/arif-alvi-set-to-be-elected-president-today |archive-date=4 September 2018 |url-status=dead}} but was unsuccessful. In 1988, he quit JI and left politics. 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".

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

He remained a member of the PTI central executive council for a year before becoming president of PTI's Sindh chapter in 1997.{{cite news |last1=Mansoor |first1=Hasan |title=Arif Alvi: The 'founder' of PTI also rises |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1427905/arif-alvi-the-founder-of-pti-also-rises |access-date=19 August 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=19 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819071300/https://www.dawn.com/news/1427905/arif-alvi-the-founder-of-pti-also-rises |archive-date=19 August 2018 |url-status=live}}

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. He came in third receiving 2,200 votes and lost the seat to Saleem Zia.{{cite web |title=Sindh Assembly election results 1988-97 |url=https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/Results%201988%20-%201997/Sindh.pdf |publisher=ECP |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211317/https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/Results%201988%20-%201997/Sindh.pdf%20 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/364042-alvi-s-rise-from-a-poor-start|title=Alvi's rise from a poor start|website=www.thenews.com.pk|date=5 September 2018|access-date=6 September 2018|archive-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905022516/https://www.thenews.com.pk/amp/364042-alvi-s-rise-from-a-poor-start|url-status=live}}

In 2001, he became the vice president of PTI.

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. 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).{{cite web |title=2002 election results |url=https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ge/ge2002vol2.pdf |publisher=ECP |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126141507/https://www.ecp.gov.pk/ge/ge2002vol2.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2018 |url-status=live}}

In 2006, he became secretary general of PTI, a position he served in until 2013.{{cite news |title=Arif Alvi's name being considered for new president: Imran Ismail |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/08/12/arif-alvis-name-being-considered-for-new-president-imran-ismail/ |access-date=18 August 2018 |work=pakistantoday.com.pk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818150756/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/08/12/arif-alvis-name-being-considered-for-new-president-imran-ismail/ |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Imran Khan's party nominates Dr Arif Alvi for Pak president's post |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/imran-khan-s-party-nominates-dr-arif-alvi-for-pak-president-s-post-118081800369_1.html |access-date=18 August 2018 |work=Business Standard|date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818125712/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/imran-khan-s-party-nominates-dr-arif-alvi-for-pak-president-s-post-118081800369_1.html |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live}}

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.{{cite news|title=Karachi partial re-polling: PTI's Arif Alvi wins NA-250 seat|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/551758/karachi-partial-re-polling-ptis-arif-alvi-wins-na-250-seat/|access-date=26 February 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=20 May 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227145927/https://tribune.com.pk/story/551758/karachi-partial-re-polling-ptis-arif-alvi-wins-na-250-seat/|archive-date=27 February 2017}}{{cite news|title=NA-250 PTI candidate Arif Alvi wins|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1012319|access-date=26 February 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=20 May 2013|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227070829/https://www.dawn.com/news/1012319|archive-date=27 February 2017}} He received 77,659 votes and defeated Khushbakht Shujaat.{{cite web |title=2013 election results |url=https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Elections%202013%20report/Election%20Report%202013%20Volume-II.pdf |publisher=ECP |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201140612/https://ecp.gov.pk/Documents/General%20Elections%202013%20report/Election%20Report%202013%20Volume-II.pdf |archive-date=1 February 2018 |url-status=live}} Upon his successful election, he became the only PTI member to win a National Assembly seat from Sindh in the 2013 general elections.{{cite news|title=Pyrrhic victory? The battle for NA-250|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1012686|access-date=26 February 2017|work=DAWN.COM|date=21 May 2013|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227070832/https://www.dawn.com/news/1012686|archive-date=27 February 2017}}

During the 2014 Tsunami March, police invoked the Anti-Terrorism Act against Alvi and several other PTI leaders for allegedly inciting violence.{{cite news |last1=Imran |first1=Mohammad |title=Non-bailable arrest warrants issued against KP minister Shaukat Ali Yousafzai |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1463402 |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=12 February 2019 |language=en}} He was implicated in cases stemming from the 2014 attacks on Parliament House and Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV).{{cite news |last1=Ahmad |first1=Zulfiqar |title=2014 PTV-Parliament House attack case: Setting aside immunity, President appears before court |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40158804 |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=Brecorder |date=5 March 2022 |language=en}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Reporter |first1=The Newspaper's Staff |title=PTI, PAT leaders face sedition case |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1129376 |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=2 September 2014 |language=en}} 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.{{cite news |last1=Asad |first1=Malik |title=PTI leaders granted pre-arrest bail in parliament, PTV attack case |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1388266 |access-date=7 April 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=9 February 2018 |language=en}}

In 2016, he was made president of the PTI Sindh chapter.{{cite news|title=Political reshuffle Dr Arif Alvi new PTI Sindh president|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1158230/political-reshuffle-dr-arif-alvi-new-pti-sindh-president/|access-date=26 February 2017|work=The Express Tribune|date=9 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226213032/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1158230/political-reshuffle-dr-arif-alvi-new-pti-sindh-president/|archive-date=26 February 2017}}

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.{{cite news |title=PTI's Arif Alvi elected new Pakistan president: Reports |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/ptis-arif-alvi-elected-new-pakistan-president-reports/articleshow/65672835.cms |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Economic Times |date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211355/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/ptis-arif-alvi-elected-new-pakistan-president-reports/articleshow/65672835.cms%20 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Call for probe into more discarded ballot papers |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/349880-call-for-probe-into-more-discarded-ballot-papers |work= The News|access-date=3 August 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803042805/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/349880-call-for-probe-into-more-discarded-ballot-papers |archive-date=3 August 2018 |url-status=live}} He received 91,020 votes and defeated Syed Zaman Ali Jaffery, a candidate of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan.{{cite web |title=NA-247 Result - Election Results 2018 - Karachi South 2 - NA-247 Candidates - NA-247 Constituency Details - thenews.com.pk |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/election/constituency/NA-247 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |access-date=4 September 2018 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812130019/https://www.thenews.com.pk/election/constituency/NA-247 |archive-date=12 August 2018 |url-status=live}}

On 18 August 2018, he was nominated by PTI as its candidate for the office of President of Pakistan.{{cite news |title=Dr Arif Alvi nominated by PTI for president's post |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1427784/dr-arif-alvi-nominated-by-pti-for-presidents-post |access-date=18 August 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=18 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818113748/https://www.dawn.com/news/1427784/dr-arif-alvi-nominated-by-pti-for-presidents-post |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live}} On 4 September 2018, he was elected as 13th President of Pakistan in the 2018 Pakistani presidential election.{{cite news |title=Arif Alvi elected 13th president of Pakistan |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1794750/1-presidential-election-voting-commences/ |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211454/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1794750/1-presidential-election-voting-commences/ |url-status=live }} He received 352 electoral votes and defeated Fazal-ur-Rehman and Aitzaz Ahsan who secured 184 and 124 votes, respectively.{{Cite web |last=Chaudhry |first=Fahad |date=2018-09-05 |title=PTI's Arif Alvi officially declared winner of 13th presidential election |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1431104 |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=5 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905173823/https://www.dawn.com/news/1431104 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=PTI's Dr Arif Alvi elected 13th President of Pakistan: unofficial results |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1430542/ptis-dr-arif-alvi-elected-13th-president-of-pakistan-unofficial-results |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=4 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211327/https://www.dawn.com/news/1430542/ptis-dr-arif-alvi-elected-13th-president-of-pakistan-unofficial-results%20 |url-status=live }} Upon getting elected as the President, Alvi thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan, and the government coalition for their support.{{cite news |title=Arif Alvi says he is elected President of entire nation, not a particular party |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/363840-arif-alvi-says-he-is-elected-president-of-entire-nation-not-a-particular-party |access-date=4 September 2018 |work=The News |date=4 September 2018 |language=en |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211359/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/363840-arif-alvi-says-he-is-elected-president-of-entire-nation-not-a-particular-party%20 |url-status=live }} He became the third President of Pakistan whose family migrated to Pakistan from India after the Partition of India. On 5 September 2018, he relinquished his National Assembly seat.{{cite news |title=President-elect Dr Arif Alvi tenders resignation from NA seat |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/05/president-elect-dr-arif-alvi-tenders-resignation-from-na-seat/ |access-date=5 September 2018 |work=Pakistan Today |date=5 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211352/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/05/newly-elected-president-dr-arif-alvi-tenders-resignation-from-na-seat/ |url-status=live }} On 9 September, he replaced Mamnoon Hussain and was sworn in as 13th President of Pakistan.{{cite news |title=Arif Alvi sworn in as 13th President of Pakistan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1431893/arif-alvi-sworn-in-as-13th-president-of-pakistan |access-date=9 September 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=9 September 2018 |archive-date=13 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813121937/https://www.dawn.com/news/1431893/arif-alvi-sworn-in-as-13th-president-of-pakistan |url-status=live }} On 17 September, he addressed the National Assembly for the first time in his capacity as president.{{cite news |title=President Arif Alvi makes inaugural address to lawmakers in joint session of parliament |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1433482/president-arif-alvi-makes-inaugural-address-to-lawmakers-in-joint-session-of-parliament |access-date=17 September 2018 |work=DAWN.COM |date=17 September 2018 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225211424/https://www.dawn.com/news/1433482/president-arif-alvi-makes-inaugural-address-to-lawmakers-in-joint-session-of-parliament%20 |url-status=live }}

In 2018, he started the Presidential Initiative for Artificial Intelligence & Computing (PIAIC).{{cite news |title=Arif Alvi's initiative on AI lauded |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/624046-arif-alvi-s-initiative-on-ai-lauded |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}

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.{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Iftikhar A. |title=Arif Alvi fourth president to complete full term |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1774681/arif-alvi-fourth-president-to-complete-full-term |access-date=22 March 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=8 September 2023 |language=en}}

His term as President of Pakistan ended on 8 March 2024.{{cite news |last1=Butt |first1=Naveed |title=Alvi given farewell guard of honour |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40292768 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Brecorder |date=9 March 2024 |language=en}}

In June 2024, he expressed concerns that the military trials involving civilians connected to the May 9 riots could potentially tarnish the reputation of the army domestically and internationally.{{cite news |last1=Reporter |first1=The Newspaper's Staff |title=Civilians trial will defame army: Arif Alvi |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1837594/civilians-trial-will-defame-army-arif-alvi |access-date=4 June 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=4 June 2024 |language=en}}

On 3 April 2022, he dissolved the National Assembly of Pakistan on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan,{{Cite news |date=2022-04-03 |title=Pakistan heads for early election amid move to remove PM Imran Khan |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-60972186 |access-date=2022-04-26 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403200502/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-60972186 |url-status=live }} 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,{{Cite web |last=Bhatti |first=Haseeb |date=2022-04-07 |title=Supreme Court restores National Assembly, orders no-confidence vote to be held on Saturday |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1683857 |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en |archive-date=20 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120111537/https://www.dawn.com/news/1683857 |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |title=Timeline of events leading up to voting on no-confidence motion |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/410390-timeline-of-events-leading-up-to-voting-no-confidence-motion |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en-US |archive-date=26 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426230845/https://www.geo.tv/latest/410390-timeline-of-events-leading-up-to-voting-no-confidence-motion |url-status=live }} 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".

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.

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.{{cite news |date=19 August 2023 |title=President Alvi signs Army, Official Secrets Acts into law |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40258747 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Brecorder |language=en}} 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.{{cite news |date=20 August 2023 |title=President Alvi says did not sign Official Secrets Amendment Bill 2023, Pakistan Army Amendment Bill 2023 |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40258852 |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=Brecorder |language=en}} 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.

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.

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.{{cite news |title=President Arif Alvi: An Era Full Of Constiutional Controversies |url=https://thefridaytimes.com/09-Mar-2024/president-arif-alvi-an-era-full-of-constiutional-controversies |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=The Friday Times |date=9 March 2024 |language=en}} 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.{{cite news |title=Alvi's legacy |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1165993-alvi-s-legacy |access-date=9 March 2024 |work=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}

In July 2024, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar announced that the government had decided to ban PTI and pursue Article 6 proceedings for high treason against Imran Khan and Alvi. This action was in response to their dissolution of the assemblies in April 2022 despite a motion of no-confidence being moved against Khan in the National Assembly.{{cite news |title=Govt to ban PTI, seek Article 6 proceedings against Imran, others |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1845974/govt-to-ban-pti-seek-article-6-proceedings-against-imran-others |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=DAWN.COM |date=15 July 2024 |language=en}}

• List of presidents of Pakistan
• Constitution of Pakistan

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Presidents of Pakistan}}

{{Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf}}

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Category:1949 births

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