Faisal Vawda reinstated as a senator, ECP withdraws notification

The Election Commission has withdrawn a notification disqualifying Faisal Vawda as a lawmaker, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Thursday.

The Election Commission withdrew the notification in light of the Supreme Court's decision.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) disqualified PTI Senator Faisal Vawda as a lawmaker over the concealment of his dual nationality at the time of contesting the National Assembly election on a Karachi seat in the 2018 general elections.

The ECP also directed Vawda to return within two months the salary and other benefits he had received as a minister and parliamentarian. It also withdrew the notification declaring Vawda's victory in a Senate seat in polls held last year. The vote Vawda had cast in the Senate polls held on March 10, 2021, as a member of the National Assembly was also annulled, according to the short order announced by the chief election commissioner.

However, the Supreme Court a couple issued a four-page order ruling a couple of days ago that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has no jurisdiction under the Constitution to decide the pre-election disqualification of a lawmaker. The top court nullified the verdicts of the ECP and high court in a case relating to the disqualification of former PTI senator Faisal Vawda.

The order recalled that Faisal Vawda informed the bench that he had received a citizenship renunciation certificate from the US authorities on June 25, 2018, and he had admitted his mistake and tendered an unconditional apology.

Faisal Vawda will be able to resign from the Senate seat as per the decision of the Supreme Court after the restoration. The Commission withdrew the notification of victory of Nisar Khoro on the Senate seat. After the resignation of Faisal Vawda, the election will be held on the vacant seat, the Election Commission stated.