ISLAMABAD:
According to an official letter from the United Kingdom Border Agency (UKBA) in response to a request from The Express Tribune, Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik was supposed to submit a £385 fee along with his application for renouncing his UK citizenship.
However, Malik, in his affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) last month, mentioned he paid a £229 fee.
The communication with the British home office revealed that the applicant did not pay the right fee for renunciation of his UK citizenship.
On June 2, The Express Tribune filed a request to UKBA under the UK’s Freedom of Information Law, to which the agency responded on July 4.
However, the agency refused to clarify the exact status of Malik’s citizenship – an issue which led to the suspension of his Senate membership and subsequent loss of his portfolio as a federal minister – citing different clauses in the law.
“We neither confirm nor deny whether we hold the information requested by virtue of Section 40(5)(a) and (b)(ii) (personal information),” UKBA replied in response to an email regarding the status of the former interior minister’s citizenship. “This would be considered personal information as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998 and therefore confirming or denying would be considered neither fair nor lawful,” added the reply by the agency’s Freedom of Information Act Policy Team. The reply further stated that The Express Tribune’s request “has been handled as a request for information under the UKBA Freedom of Information Act 2000.”
“These [Section 40(5)] sections of the Act absolve us from the requirement to say whether or not we hold information.” Section 40 is an absolute exemption and does not require a Public Interest Test (PIT), the UKBA said. “This response should not be taken as conclusive evidence that the information you have requested is or is not held by the Home Office,” the reply further clarified.
Honorary consul general of Niger
In a related development, Malik, who is now the senior adviser to the prime minister on interior affairs, told The Express Tribune in a text message that he has also resigned as the honorary consul general of Niger in the UK. He was previously also criticised for enjoying the post.
“I resigned as Hon. Council (Consul) General of Niger… It’s not illegal to be Hon Concil (Consul) Gen. Many Pakistan (Pakistanis) are Hon CJ (Consul General). I’m not enjoying any portfolio of Hon CJ (Consul General),” read Malik’s text message, replete with typos, sent to The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2012.
COMMENTS (21)
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How a man who also is a citizen of another country was given an inmportant job as Interior Advisor of a nation. Such things do not happen anywhere else. Malik is having "two bobs each way" as Australians would say. He should be asked to resign.
@Logic Europe: only 16% of the GDP is from foreign remitences, so for sure Pakistan's economy is NOT run by dual nationals, they are way busy relying on state benefits in the respective country they opt to live for and took oath to be loyal for !
@Khan of Cape Town: . We all remember how much security he provided to the poor BB. Now he is responsible for the security of the 18 Millions. WoW . 18 Million Only. No Sir! Pakistani Population as per the Pakistan Census is over 197 Million. . I am sure that by now it is well over 200 Million!! . Cheers
Even if he renounces his British citizenship now I am sure he will claim asylum when he is out of govenment. He will claim he was forced to renounce citizenship and is being persecuted.
For obvious reasons, most Pak politicians, wont give up dual citizenship, greencards etc. Because once they are out of power, they are likely to be in prison or killed. So foreign residency is a life saver for them.
Her Majesty's Government is still asking for more proof and evidence!!!!!!!!!!!
We all remember how much security he provided to the poor BB. Now he is responsible for the security of the 18 Millions. WoW
@Logic Europe
If you have spared some of your precious time from praising the jiyali government, please read the following from constitution of USA ...
"The U.S. citizen may lose his dual citizenship by obtaining naturalization in a foreign state. Taking an oath or making an affirmation or other formal declaration of allegiance to a foreign state or political subdivision thereof. or entering, or serving in, the armed forces of a foreign state may also result in a loss of citizenship."
Now please do not post comment on any topic without due knowledge of that subject...
jazak ALLAH
"UK agency refuses to clarify Malik’s citizenship status" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Yes but whats shocking is that the Rt Hon'ble Adviser also refuses to clarify his citizenship status! Alice in Wonderland.
This guy always plays "tricks" and fails,,,
@Logic Europe: I know some families with dual nationalities, they niether send their maney to Pakistan nor they wanted to do investment in Pakistan and ven they don't want to do a job in Pakistan. Though they show their worry towards Pakistan very much because they feel ashamed when they discuss their country with other people but they are not willing to correct those ashamable problems Pakistan is facing. The money is being sent by the workers who have their families in Pakistan as they are not *the DOGHLAY.*
in every country there are laws , especially designed to protect "men with power". why so much hue and cry in pakistan. let the democracy take its revenge................
....and this man is responsible for the security of the Pakistani people.
Malik is a true non state actor as he's just a advisor & not a minister
@kazim muneer the fact is that no one wants the government to work including people whomaremjealous,envious and non achieves A circus of dual nationality has been created to terrify all govt ministers as the courts are unable to prove anything else against these people Pakistani economy runs on people with dual nationality AMERICA and Britain see no danger in People having two nationalities ,only person who is irritated is the judge who's family recently enjoyed visit to England on someone else's money Mr Rahman is strong efficient and extremely hard working Can't people see the difference between reality and propaganda
It is called The Rehman Malik Effect. Nothing is what is seems and nothing seems what it is.
RM would rather sell Pakistan instead of renouncing british citizenship. This man is a criminal. I don't understand why SC is soft on him. He should be handled by the Army
The court jester
My question is where is Election Commission of Pakistan? And of course where has the press been for past 4 years
Rehman Malik always fails to play smart. Gets caught every time.
It is a well-established fact that Mr. Malik Abdul Rahman, contrary to his name, is a liar of highest order and an incompetent Minister to hold office of the Interior Minister. However, something is fishy about his being in the Office; either as Minister or Adviser. Interestingly, legally as an Adviser, he is not even responsible for any of his actions because he is an Adviser with a mandate of giving advise. Whosoever implements is the one who is responsible for the action irrespective of where the orders are coming from!!
Food for thought especially for sub-ordinate Ministry of Interior Officials!!