ISLAMABAD  – Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday has rejected the plea seeking suspension of Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda’s membership till the conclusion of final arguments in disqualification case.

During the hearing, Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan (CEC) Jalal Sikandar Sultan Raja has issued notice to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and adjourned the hearing till February 27.

It is to be mentioned here that Chairman Aman Taraki Party, Faiq Shah filed a plea against Vawda, stating that he is no longer Sadiq and Ameen (truthful and trustworthy) as he concealed his dual citizenship and submitted a false affidavit in the ECP with his nomination papers.

On Jan 20, an investigative report revealed that Faisal Vawda had committed perjury by falsely declaring in an oath to the ECP that he did not hold any foreign nationality.

Vawda was in possession of a United States passport at the time he filed his nomination papers on June 11, 2018. The minister remained an American national even at the time the scrutiny of his nomination papers was completed.

On Jan 17, sessions court in Lahore had conducted hearing on a plea seeking registration of case against Vawda for bringing boot in a private news channel’s talk show.

In the petition, the plaintiff said that Faisal Vawda has insulted the national institutions by lifting boot in the talk show. Federal minister’s this move has defamed the image of prestigious institutions, he added.