ISLAMABAD: Written contentions have been submitted in the Supreme Court against disqualification of PTI MNA Faisal Vawda , media reported on Monday.<\/p>\n
The arguments have been filed in the apex court over the election commission\u2019s mandate to declare a lawmaker disqualified.<\/p>\n
A public office holder could not be disqualified for life over a false affidavit, according to the arguments.<\/p>\n
\u201cVarious supreme court decisions clarify that the election commission is not a court of law,\u201d Vawda said. \u201cThe election commission could not disqualify a member for life under Article 62 (1)-F\u201d, according to the contentions submitted by Faisal Vawda.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe election tribunal is a concerned forum to declare a public office holder disqualified.\u201d<\/p>\n
Court trial is compulsory for disqualifying a public office holder over false affidavit, according to the contentions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe court while giving its verdict over the false affidavit should also consider over the reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n
Various supreme court decisions have been referred in written contentions over the case.<\/p>\n
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial comprising Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha Malik will take up the plea on March 15.<\/p>\n
Vawda filed a petition in the Supreme Court under Article 185 (3) of the Constitution for leave to appeal against the order of the Election Commission of Pakistan dated February 9 and a judgment of the Islamabad High Court dated February 16, 2022.<\/p>\n
An ECP bench, led by Chief Election Commissioner Faisal Sultan Raja, had disqualified Vawda for concealing his dual nationality with a direction to return the salary and other benefits he had received as a minister and National Assembly member within two months. He was also de-notified as a Senator.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had turned down a request by PTI leader Faisal Vawda to suspend the Election Commission of Pakistan\u2019s (ECP) Feb 16 verdict regarding his lifetime disqualification.<\/p>\n
The court has issued notices to the ECP and PTI MNA Abdul Qadir Mandokhel to file their response to the PTI leader\u2019s petition challenging his disqualification from parliament.<\/p>\n