The decision was taken at a high level meeting of the ECP in Islamabad.
The Chief Election Commissioner, Justice (r) Hamid Ali Mirza refused to hear references against Senator Haji Adeel and Senator Zahid Khan regarding their fake degrees. He said the reference filed by Maulvi Iqbal Haider should be forwarded by the chairman Senate.
Mirza also said the parliament should expedite cases of fake degree holders.
Two new political parties, Kawawan-e-Millat and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Nazriyat), have also been allotted election symbols. The registration of six new political parties has also been deferred.
In April, a member of parliament from Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) had introduced a private constitutional amendment bill in the National Assembly, seeking the disqualification of parliamentarians and bureaucrats holding dual nationalities or holding assets or bank accounts outside Pakistan.
The legislation by Raza Hayat Hiraj called for the insertion of another article (63B) in the country’s constitution, to be applicable to the members of the national parliament, provincial assemblies and civil and military officials.
Article 62 and 63 elaborate conditions under which a lawmaker can be removed.
Correction: An earlier version of the article stated that the ECP had barred dual nationals from contesting elections, which is incorrect, as the ECP can only make recommendations to the parliament.
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