ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Thursday gave former PTI leader Faisal Vawda an option that could soften his disqualification sentence if the outspoken leader accepts it.
“If Vawda confesses to submitting a forged [citizenship] affidavit then he will be disqualified for one term; however, if the politician does not, then it will be for a lifetime,” Supreme Court said during the hearing of the petition against Vawda’s lifetime disqualification from running or holding public office.
A three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial heard the petition. The bench comprises Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha Malik as members.
The court also ordered Vawda to bring a certificate proving his renunciation of US citizenship in the next hearing.
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“Vawda should admit his mistake and be disqualified under 63(1) C, otherwise the court shall proceed with the case under 62(1) F,” the Chief Justice said adding, “There is enough material before the court to disqualify Vawda for life”.
Vawda challenged his lifetime disqualification following a verdict issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The ECP had declared Vawda ineligible to run for any public office in a verdict against the case regarding his knowingly submitting a forged affidavit regarding the status of his US nationality.
