Vawda will move SC against ECP's disqualification verdict: Sheikh Rashid

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Wednesday said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda would move the Supreme Court (SC) over the disqualification verdict against him by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Earlier today, the electoral body disqualified Vawda from Parliament for submitting a false affidavit which was in violation of Article 62(1)(f), which pertains to being 'sadiq' (truthful) and 'amin' (honest).

According to the decision, Vawda, who resigned from his MNA seat to become a senator last year, was also told to return all the perks and privileges he received as a member of the National Assembly.

Speaking to the media today in Islamabad, the interior minister said Federal Minister Ali Amin Gandapur's brother, Umar Amin Gandapur, was also given a stay by the apex court yesterday.

"There is no setback to the party. Faisal Vadwa will also move the SC in this regard," he said.

Furthermore, the minister maintained that the opposition would fail if they file a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“They do not have the numbers,” Rashid said. “They are not even allies as the JUI-F has another political angle and the PPP and PML-N have another. Now they are knocking on the doors of our allies. Prime Minister Imran Khan does not face any threat from the opposition parties.”

The interior minister also chided the opposition for announcing to hold a long march on March 23. He asked them what "were they trying to achieve".

“They are different for what you see them as on TV and in reality. I do not even see them in Islamabad on March 23. After such a long time, the Australian cricket team is coming to Pakistan. The OIC conference will also be held. What work do you have here? If you are so fond of bringing the no-confidence motion, then please do, you will only face defeat.”

The minister confirmed that the J-10C fighter aircraft will perform a fly pass on March 23. 

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Rashid maintained that there were 70 mega corruption cases in NAB and they have taken their time. The government would try to have the verdict of these cases announced during its remaining tenure, he added.

“Case of the PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz is the strongest. Shehbaz is more corrupt than Nawaz, that is why you see him being more active nowadays,” the minister claimed.

Regarding NADRA, the minister said that the network of its offices would spread to far-flung areas of the country. “Thirteen passport offices will be established in interior Sindh while the succession certificate facility will also be introduced in Azad Kashmir and Balochistan,” he said.

Referring to the premier's announcement of increasing 15 per cent salaries of Rangers and FC, the minister said the Pakistan Coast Guard and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts were also included in the appraisal.

“I have also requested the prime minister to increase salaries of other departments which includes bureaucracy as well,” the minister said.

Rashid further revealed that the Iranian Interior Minister was also visiting Pakistan next week.