Netizens are expressing their upset and disappointment as the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan on Friday overturned a decision of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to disqualify former PTI leader Faisal Vawda for life.
According to the details, a three-member bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial announced the decision after Faisal Vawda rendered an unconditional apology before the court.
Faisal Vawda appeared before the court today and told the court that he apologizes unconditionally for misstating his dual nationality and would accept any punishment that is awarded to him.
Read more: Ex-PTI leader Faisal Vawda slams Imran Khan’s long march
Accepting his apology, the apex court ruled that Faisal 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.
On the other hand, Faisal Vawda remains disqualified under Article 63(1)(c) of the Constitution, under which a legislator loses membership of parliament for one term only.
Criticism of Faisal Vawda
Faisal Vawda has been the target of much criticism, especially after his fiery press conferences where he made startling claims, for instance, that PTI’s long march will be “bloody”. Moreover, he has often lashed out at PTI leaders for misguiding Chairman Imran Khan.
PTI also issued a show-cause notice to Faisal Vawda for his press conference as it was against the party’s policy. However, Faisal Vawda failed to respond to the show cause after which he was removed from PTI.
While Faisal Vawda still calls Imran Khan his leader, his anti-PTI tilt has irked many PTI supporters who are expressing their upset with his lifetime disqualification getting overturned.
The price for that stupid presser has been paid. The price that Vawda may have asked was quite obvious, the removal of the ban; it is, however, shocking, at least for me, who has paid it, The Supreme Court of Pakistan. WOW https://t.co/IUG7EIvU0x
— Khizar Kahloon (@KhizarKahloon) November 25, 2022
There is indeed honour among thieves. Faisal Vawda rewarded for that infamous press conference. SC revokes Vawda's lifetime disqualification. He can now contest in the next elections. pic.twitter.com/XdYEJFkJHB
— SocialPariah (@Non_graata) November 25, 2022
Faisal Vawda has been rewarded. Instead of a lifetime disqualification in his case, he has been given a 5 year disqualification. He gets this for deterring people against Imran Khan's long march.
— Nadia (@novocainerush) November 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/Ayes505/status/1596053329372553216?s=20&t=xhtGhkGokcgzQhRVchR7cQ
Netizens believe that the overturning of Faisal Vawda’s lifetime disqualification has paved the way for Nawaz Sharif also getting major relief as the former premier was also disqualified for life under Article 63(1)(c).
اب پتا چلا اپ لوگوں کو یقین ہوا یا نہیں
خیر اس کو تو اپنا حصہ مل گیا نواز شریف بھی اب اسی طرح کا کچھ فائدہ چاہتا ہے #FaisalVawda pic.twitter.com/UbiKjylttH— Adnan Dani (@adnandani41) November 25, 2022
Is Nawaz Sharif is next?
Supreme Court revokes Faisal Vawda’s lifetime disqualification as a lawmaker— Shakil Rai (@ShakilRai2) November 25, 2022
The election commission had on February 9 imposed a lifetime ban on Vawda as he had concealed his dual nationality at the time of contesting the National Assembly election in the 2018 general polls.
Read more: Faisal Vawda challenges ECP’s disqualification decision