Dual nationality case: SC suspends PML-Q MNA

Assembly membership suspended for not appearing before court or submitting a reply as directed.


Web Desk October 03, 2012

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court, while hearing the dual nationality case, suspended the National Assembly membership of Pakistan Muslim League - Quaid (PML-Q) MNA Shehnaz Sheikh, Express News reported on Wendesday.

The MNA was said to be a holder of Australian nationality while being a Pakistani national and a member of the National Assembly.

Sheikh’s assembly membership was suspended for not appearing before the court or submitting a reply as per the court's directives issued earlier.

Journalist Umar Cheema, the person who took the stand regarding dual nationality of certain parliamentarians, was also issued a letter for appearing in court and furnishing details to substantiate his claims.

Other assembly members suspected of being dual nationals are also under scrutiny of the Supreme Court.

Earlier, the court had issued notices to several legislators, including Interior Minister Rehman Malik, directing them to appear in today’s hearing.

MNA Ghulam Mujtaba Rai was also summoned by the court for confirming whether he was a Canadian national or not.

Rehman Malik had been directed to appear and produce a list of parliamentarians and members of provincial assemblies as it has appeared in newspapers, copies of which have been placed on record, that there are so many dual national lawmakers.

Along with notices, copies of the news items published in different news papers as had been noted in an order dated September 22, were also supplied to him.

In his talk with the media, Malik had stated that if he was asked by the Supreme Court or government, he could supply the names of lawmakers who held dual citizenship.

The information secretary was also directed to submit a transcript of the interior minister’s press conference if need be.

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