The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed Faisal Vawda, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leader and Federal Minister for Water Resources, to submit his response in a case pertaining to his disqualification. Legal experts believe Mr. Vawda is likely to face some tough question since he reportedly submitted a false affidavit.
Double Trouble For Faisal Vawda | Headlines 12 PM | 29 January 2020 | Dunya News https://t.co/BsOo4MSifx pic.twitter.com/3Rm3XBWn5p
— zemtvs (@Zemtvs) January 29, 2020
During the proceedings, which were presided over by Justice Aamer Farooq, prosecutor Mian Mohammad Faisal’s counsel Advocate Jehangir Jadoon contended that the minister had submitted a false affidavit when filing his nomination papers to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
When asked by the court what the last date for filing the nomination papers was, the lawyer informed the court that June 11, 2018, was the last date, before presenting the affidavit submitted by Vawda. “The minister was a dual national when he submitted his nomination papers. According to the Supreme Court’s decision, Vawda was supposed to relinquish his US nationality before filing the nomination papers,” the lawyer said.
"The minister was a dual national when he submitted his nomination papers. According to the Supreme Court's decision, Vawda was supposed to relinquish his US nationality before filing the nomination papers," the lawyer said.https://t.co/lUtSYB9NJo
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 29, 2020
“He is the federal minister for water resources and is overseeing major projects. He should be stopped from working,” the lawyer added.
Read more: Dual Nationality: Will PTI’s Faisal Vawda be disqualified?
After hearing the arguments, the court directed Vawda to submit a reply by Feb 24.
Faisal Vawda is dual national
Mr. Vawda is accused of hiding his dual nationality while filing nomination papers back in 2018. According to a report, published by The News, Mr. Vawda was a US national when he submitted his documents in June, 2018.
Faisal Vawda was a US national while filing nomination papers. He rescinded his US citizenship later. USG rescinded his citizenship in record 3 days.
What is good for Sadia Abbasi and Haroon Akhtar is not good for Vawda. Some are more equal than others. https://t.co/GC8l6escaL— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) January 20, 2020
According to the report, the last date to file nomination papers for the elections held in July 2018 was June 8 and later extended for another three days. Taking his documents and evidence, Vawda submitted election papers on the last date — June 11, 2018 —along with an affidavit wherein he declared himself holding no citizenship other than that of Pakistani. The Returning Officer (RO) of NA-249 Karachi, his electoral constituency, approved his nomination papers on June 18, 2018. It was only after this approval that Vawda applied for renunciation of his US nationality in US Consulate Karachi meaning thereby he was American citizen at the time of filing.
Read more: PEMRA charged Kashif Abbasi with a ban while Faisal Vawda went scot-free
Legal experts believe that whoever holds dual nationality at the time of submitting their nomination papers is set to for instant disqualification. Moreover, the person concerned could be penalised for perjury as well.
PTI’s leader often remains in spotlight for all wrong reasons. Recently, Mr. Vawda was in the news for flashing ‘military boot’ in a live TV show at opposition members of PPP and PML-N, ridiculing them for their unconditional support for Army Act Amendment Bill while disparaging the ruling party, PTI as the stooge of Establishment all this while.
Read more: Faisal Vawda and his bizarre antic: Hero of Federal Minister?
Before that, he was schooled by his own party after his heroic entry at the site of a terror attack at Chinese Embassy in Karachi. Faisal Vawda was spotted along with the Police wearing a bullet-resistant vest and a gun in hand.
Legal experts from Vawda’s own party, including Fawad Chaudhry, believe whoever holds dual nationality at the time of submitting nomination papers is set to not only face instant disqualification, but he or she can also be penalised for perjury.https://t.co/XAXOgsAMmI
— The Current (@TheCurrentPK) January 20, 2020
Last year, PM Khan bashed and reprimanded Faisal Vawda, personally after he reached Line of Control and had himself photographed with the rubble of downed Indian fighter Jet. His stunt was not taken well in the party.