ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) reinstated former Federal Minister Faisal Vawda to the post of senator after the Supreme Court (SC) annulled his life-time disqualification.
The ECP withdrew its earlier notification declaring Faisal Vawda’s seat vacant from Sindh after the Supreme Court’s decision. Nisar Ahmad Khoro of People’s Party was elected as a member of the Senate in March this year from the same seat. However, ECP has withdrawn its 15 March 2022 notification of Nisar Khoro’s victory.
Vawda was disqualified by the ECP in February this year in a dual citizenship case. The former PTI leader was elected as a member of the Upper House of Parliament on a PTI ticket in March 2021. Their 2021 notification has now been restored.
However, as per the Supreme Court’s decision, Vawda will resign, and the commission will conduct fresh elections to fill the seat.
Vawda’s core PTI membership was terminated in October for alleged violation of party policy.
Decision of the Supreme Court
Last month, the Supreme Court had ruled that the ECP has no power under the Constitution to decide the pre-election disqualification of a legislator.
In its brief four-page order, the Supreme Court struck down the ECP and the High Court’s decisions, saying: “The ECP has no jurisdiction to inquire into and decide the issue of pre-election disqualification and disqualification. No option. Returning candidate.”
Vawda’s dismissal from PTI
On October 26, a former PTI member held a press conference in Islamabad following the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, who, according to Vawda, was killed in a “planned murder”.
During the presser, Vawda also claimed that the PTI’s long march – which began on October 28 from Lahore – would “witness bloodshed, death and funerals.”
Following his comments, the party first suspended his membership after he failed to respond to the show-cause notice issued to him on the day of his burnt presser.
The PTI took to Twitter to confirm Vawda’s termination of primary membership from the party.
The PTI also said Vawda would not be allowed to hold any party office or represent the party in the media as he had committed “serious breach of discipline by making statements against the party’s policies and guidelines.” Who is “
