Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): The Supreme Court on Friday revoked the lifetime ban on former PTI parliamentarian Faisal Vawda after tendered an unconditional apology before the court.
A three-member SC bench — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha Malik — heard case challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) order to disqualify Vawda lifetime.
The chief justice had summoned Vawda to court today for giving him a chance to apologise and accept his mistake.
As he appeared before the court, the former federal minister told the court that he apologises unconditionally and would accept any punishment that is awarded to him.
Accepting his apology, the apex court ruled that Vawda was disqualified under Article 63(1)(c) and not Article 62(1)(f) — the same law that was used to impose a lifetime ban on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif from contesting elections.
The ECP had disqualified Vawda in February for concealing his US citizenship and directed him to return the salary and other benefits he had received as a minister and as a member of the National Assembly, within two months. It had also de-notified him as a senator.