SC revokes Faisal Vawda’s lifetime disqualification after he tenders unconditional apology, admitting lying for three years in dual nationality case.


Islamabad: Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan Friday revoked the lifetime disqualification of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda after he tendered an unconditional apology before the court.
As per Faisal Vawda’s unconditional apology, he regrets lying for concealing his dual nationality at the time of participating in the National Assembly (NA) election on a Karachi seat during the 2018 General Elections.
The verdict was issued by a three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and consisting of Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha A. Malik.
During the hearing, Justice Bandial said that either Vawda should admit his mistake and be disqualified under 63(1)(c), otherwise the court would proceed with the case under 62(1)(f)— the same law that was used to impose a lifetime ban on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from contesting elections.
He added that there was enough material before the court to disqualify Faisal Vawda for life.
The chief justice had summoned the former federal minister to court today, giving him a chance to apologise and admit his mistake.
As he appeared before the court, Vawda told the court that he apologises unconditionally and would accept any punishment that is awarded to him.
Accepting his apology, the apex court ruled that Faisal was disqualified under Article 63(1)(c) and not Article 62(1)(f).
Vawda, however, remains disqualified under Article 63(1)(c) of the Constitution, under which a legislator loses membership of parliament for a one-year term, following this he will remain disqualified till 2023.
Faisal will be eligible to contest the next general or Senate elections, the court order said.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had disqualified Vawda in February for concealing his US citizenship and directed him to return the salary and other benefits he had received as a minister and as a MNA within two months.
The commission had also declared the vote which Vawda had cast in the Senate elections on March 10 as MNA ‘invalid’.
Vawda had submitted a false affidavit with his nomination papers, ECP stated.

Nagpur riots: Hindu extremist group demands destruction of Aurangzeb's tomb
- 11 hours ago
Virtual learning introduced at Balochistan universities amid growing security risks
- 5 hours ago

Pakistan vows full force against terrorism in recent security meeting
- 8 hours ago
Somali militants attack presidential convoy, president escapes unhurt
- 5 hours ago
Army Chief stresses need for national unity in fight against terrorism
- 5 hours ago

JI chief offers help for Afghanistan talks, slams govt’s approach to national security
- 11 hours ago

Ruet-e-Hilal Committee to meet on March 30 for Shawwal moon sighting
- 7 hours ago
Gold prices hit historic highs amid global economic concerns
- 10 hours ago

Sindh announces holiday for educational institutions on March 22
- 8 hours ago
Jaffar Express resumes operations after terrorist attack
- 11 hours ago

Dollar surges as forex markets struggle amid IMF delays, economic pressures
- 8 hours ago

Mustafa Amir murder case: Father and son clash in court during case hearing
- 9 hours ago