The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday made it clear that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda had dual nationality, and asked him to provide the certificate as proof so that the commission could accept his claim that he had given up his ‘dual nationality.’
The disqualification case of the PTI leader Faisal Vawda for having dual nationality was heard by a three-member ECP panel led by the chief electoral commissioner (CEC).
On the occasion, the CEC stated that the question was whether Faisal Vawda had dual nationality when his nomination papers were filed. “This is your final chance,” he added.
Vawda replied that he would try to obtain the certificate, as he had only recently learned that it was available.
The PTI leader further stated that he was an MNA at the time the lawsuit was filed against him. He went on to say, “Later, I resigned from the position because of the same problem of having ‘dual nationality.'”
When Vawda told the bench that his lawyer couldn’t come today since his family members were sick and he might have to travel abroad for their treatment, the CEC responded that if his lawyer couldn’t come, he could have submitted his written response.
The ECP cautioned him that if his lawyer did not show up for the next hearing date, the commission would be forced to reserve its decision in his case.
During the hearing, the CEC stated that now was the time to begin planning for the country’s next general elections. “We can’t afford to drag this out any longer than necessary.” The dispute was also ordered to be settled within two months by the top court. When addressing Vawda, he said, “This is your last opportunity.”
The PTI leader told the bench that he came to show respect for the panel and to demonstrate that he was serious about the charges leveled against him.
On the same day, the CEC chastised the PTI leader’s assistant lawyer for failing to present the file he had been requested to bring.
The case has been postponed until December 23 by the CEC.
