ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday revoked the lifetime disqualification of PTI’s former federal minister and leader Faisal Vawda from contesting elections after he tendered an unconditional apology.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Ayesha Malik while accepting Vawda’s apology ruled that 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.

Vawda was disqualified for life-time by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on February 9,2022 for concealing his dual nationality at the time of contesting the National Assembly election in the 2018 general elections.

On Friday, Vawda apprised the court that he apologises unconditionally and would accept any punishment that is awarded to him. He also tendered his resignation as Senator. In light of the apex court ruling, Vawad can contest in the next general elections, but he will not be allowed to run in any polls that take place before it.

In his written apology, Mr Vawda admitted that he was not eligible for running the elections, as he had submitted a fake affidavit regarding his dual nationality. He had submitted an application in June 2018 for revoking his US citizenship, but it was never accepted.