Disqualification case: ECP adjourns Vawda’s hearing till August 4

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will hear a petition demanding Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda’s disqualification for allegedly hiding his US citizenship on 4th August.

The ECP in its order today warned that if the parties in the case do not submit their responses in the next hearing, it will issue a verdict based on the record submitted to it.

The commission added that either the parties in the case should appear before it themselves or they should send their lawyers. Previously, the ECP had summoned the minister earlier this on 16th July for allegedly concealing his dual nationality.

Dual citizenship case

The petition was filed by Faiq Shah filed against Vawda in which he clearly stated that the minister was no longer Sadiq and Ameen (truthful and trustworthy) as he filed a false affidavit with regard to his nationality.

Read more: Filing false affidavit: Another plea filed against Vawda in SHC

Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution pertains to the qualification of members of the Parliament. The disqualification case highlights that Faisal Vawda was a dual national when he had submitted his nomination papers to contest election for a National Assembly seat and he concealed his dual nationality.

Vawda was in possession of a United States passport at the time he filed his nomination papers on 11th June 2018. The minister remained an American national even at the time the scrutiny of his nomination papers were completed.