The assertion was made through an affidavit submitted by the chief minister in the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
“…The allegations raised by Raja Riaz Ahmed, leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, are malicious, false, frivolous, untrue, baseless and are worthy of being rejected with exemplary costs,” said the affidavit submitted by Advocate Mustafa Ramday.
“As per criterion laid down in the Constitution a person shall not be qualified to be elected or chosen as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) unless- 62(1)(f): “he is sagacious, righteous and non-profligate, honest and ameen, there being no declaration to the contrary by a court of law.”
While denying the allegations, Shahbaz said he had not even opted for the citizenship of another country while he was facing life-threatening medical issues during his forced exile.
“That as a matter of record the Answering-Responding submits that in the year 2002 when Answering-Respondent was in forced exile, he was diagnosed with life threatening cancer for which doctors in Saudi Arabia had advised immediate medical treatment in the United States of America. However, the Answering-Respondent at that time was not in custody of a valid Pakistani passport. The then regime led by a dictator had refused to renew/issue a valid travel document for the Answering-Respondent. Despite being offered the option of travelling on the passport of a foreign country, the Answering-Respondent did not opt for the said/kind assistance despite facing a life threatening situation,” said the affidavit.
The affidavit further denied media reports (quoted by Riaz) that the Punjab CM had received a notice from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) over the issue.
Riaz, who belongs to the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), had asked the ECP to investigate the matter, saying there were reports that Shahbaz held nationality of a country other than that of Pakistan.
The Supreme Court took notice of the statement and sought details from newspapers in which Riaz made his allegations. The apex court has summoned the chief minister on October 17.
Under Article 63 (1) (c) of the Constitution, a person is not eligible to become a member of parliament or a provincial assembly if he or she possesses any foreign nationality.
The constitutional provision was not adhered to till recently, when the Supreme Court disqualified 11 lawmakers, from different political parties, adjudged to be dual nationals on September 20.
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