CJP terms article 62(1)(f) as a "draconian law" in Faisal Vawda's lifetime disqualification case.

CJP Umer Ata Bandial declared article 62(1)(f) of the constitution of Pakistan as a "draconian law" during the latest hearing of Faisal Vawd's lifetime disqualification case.

According to reports, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, chaired by Chief Justice Umer Ata Bandial, heard a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Ex-lawmaker Faisal Vawda contesting his lifetime disqualification. The CJP issued the remarks as the Supreme Court was hearing Faisal Vawda's plea for his lifetime disqualification under article 62(1)(f).

Article 62(1) sub-clause (f) of the constitution of Pakistan. The law states that "he is sagacious, righteous, non-profligate, honest and Ameen, there being no declaration to the contrary by a court of law" 

This is a mandatory condition for a member of the parliament. That's due to the pretext of Article 62(1), which states "A person shall not be qualified to be elected or chosen as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) unless"

In today's hearing, Vawda's attorney told the court that his client contested in general elections in 2018 and that after two years of victory, a disqualification petition was filed in the high court for filing a fake affidavit during the election.

The CJP responded that the ECP has the jurisdiction to examine fraudulent affidavits and that even if the Supreme Court overturns the ECP decision, the facts will remain unchanged.

"The ECP appropriately reviewed the facts," the top judge said, "but the question is whether the electoral commission has the jurisdiction to disqualify a legislator for life."

It is worth mentioning that the Supreme Court declared in 2018 that the disqualification imposed under Article 62 (1)(f) was for a lifetime. Nawaz Sharif the premier of PMLN & Jahangir Tareen one of the closest members of Imran Khan was also disqualified after Supreme Court invoked Article 62(1)(f) of the constitution against them. That's why Chief Justice Pakistan Umer Ata Bandial adjourned the court, termed article 62(1)(f) as a "draconian law" & remarked that the bench would hear the case in detail.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court postponed the hearing until October 6.