CJP terms lifelong disqualification clause ‘black law’

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Tuesday remarked that Article 62 1-F of the constitution that provided for lifelong disqualification of a public office holder was a ‘draconian law’, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.  

During the hearing of an appeal filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda against his lifelong disqualification from holding any public office, the CJP said the Supreme Court (SC) would hear the case carefully. “There will be a detailed hearing of the case,” he said. 

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by CJP Bandial, heard the appeal. 

Speaking on the occasion, Vawda’s lawyer Wasim Sajjad said that his client had won his seat in the general elections of 2018. “Two years later, a petition was filed in a high court, seeking his disqualification for misstating the facts,” he said. 

The CJP said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had the power to investigate if it came to its notice that a legislator had not reported the facts correctly. “And even if the SC declares the ECP’s order null and void, the point is that facts of the case will remain there,” Justice Bandial said, adding that in Vawda’s case, the ECP gave the ruling after proper scrutiny. 

Farooq H. Naek said that the Islamabad High Court (IHC), in its verdict, had clearly stated that the PTI leader had admitted that he was a dual nationality holder. 

The CJP said now the only question was to ascertain whether the ECP could have ordered lifelong ineligibility of Vawda in the case.           

The court then adjourned hearing of the case until Thursday (October 6, 2022).

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori