Notices Issued: SC seeks report on dual-nationality MPs

During proceedings, Mian Abdurraoof appeared on behalf of MNA Chaudhry Zahid Hussain, sought time for filing a reply.


Our Correspondent May 09, 2012

ISLAMABAD:


The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notices to secretary Senate and secretary National Assembly, ordering them to submit a report by Thursday regarding parliamentarians who hold dual nationalities.


The court reissued notices, summoning Senator Rehman Malik and Member of National Assembly (MNA) Farahnaz Ispahani, since they both failed to appear.

The attorney general appeared on behalf of Malik, however, Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that Malik should appear in person and brief the court whether or not he holds dual nationality.

During the proceedings, Mian Abdurraoof appeared on behalf of MNA Chaudhry Zahid Hussain and sought time for filing a reply.

A three-member bench headed by CJ Chaudhry was hearing a petition filed by Mahmood Akhtar Naqvi alleging that Chaudhry Zahid Iqbal, Chaudhry Iftikhar Nazir and Malik held British nationalities, while Farahnaz Ispahani, the wife of Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US, Husain Haqqani, possessed a US nationality.

The hearing of the case was adjourned till Thursday, May 10. (With additional input from APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2012.

COMMENTS (2)

Nadia | 11 years ago | Reply

It is ironic that after four years of their term in office and two elections under Gen Mush’s rule, “now” all of a sudden this purge is starting. The election commission is composed of judges and it is their job to scrutinize the candidates. The question should be addressed, is it legal to be a dual citizen and contest the elections? If it is then it is fine, if not then the election commission is responsible and the candidate should be rejected. How about the wives and kids having a foreign nationality and the husband do not, just to take part in Pakistani politics? Technically he is not a foreign citizen but can be any second as his wife and kids are! This would perpetuate the fraud and tricks with nationalities. Last but not the least; the NA/Senate should make the laws not the PCO SC. Why were these same judges not raising this question during the two elections (including this last) during Mush’s office? What has changed now?

Naseer | 11 years ago | Reply

Holding dual nationality is not a crime. How long this type of asinine moves will continue to weaken our political structure. Parliamentarians from several countries hold dual nationality, Pakistan is not only example. Can the Supreme Court move on to more pressing issues now. Property rights, contractual rights, human rights violations that have engulfed this nation. I get it: PPP is unlikable and an easy prey( through their own fault ), but judicial activism right now is not warranted. How about addressing the more than thousand backlog cases as recommended by the “National Judicial Policy Recommendations” in 2009.

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