Vawda seeks early hearing of his disqualification case

Files plea in SC, saying there is risk of ineffectiveness of petition if not immediately heard

ISLAMABAD:

Former PTI senator Faisal Vawda has filed a plea in the apex court for early hearing of the appeal against his lifelong disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan and the subsequent ruling by the Islamabad High Court.

The petition states that Vawda’s appeal against the decision of the election watchdog and the IHC was pending.

Last week, the ECP disqualified Vawda for life from parliament over submission of a false affidavit regarding his dual citizenship.

The PTI senator was disqualified for violating Article 62(1)(f) which pertains to being “Sadiq” (truthful) and “Amin” (honest).

The article provision is the same under which Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified from holding public office by the Supreme Court on July 28, 2017 in the Panama Papers case.

On the other hand, re-election was announced for the Senate seat which became vacant after Vawda’s disqualification.

“If the Supreme Court did not hold an immediate hearing then there is a risk of irreparable loss as well as ineffectiveness of the petition so the case should be fixed for early hearing,” according to Vawda’s application.

The petitioner seeks his appeal to be fixed for hearing during the week beginning February 21.