Dual nationality: ECP throws out plea against 35 MPAs

Says petitioner did not present evidence against accused Punjab Assembly members.

ISLAMABAD:

The Election Commission of Pakistan on Thursday threw out a petition against 35 Punjab Assembly members on the grounds that no evidence was presented to support the claim that they held dual nationality.

Former diplomat Asif Ezdi, who pleaded the case himself, said that he filed the petition on the basis of a news item that cited intelligence agency sources.



Ezdi was of the opinion that the ECP should have conducted investigations into the matter before summoning members of the Punjab Assembly.

Out of the 35 accused lawmakers, 32 appeared in person and three others sent their lawyers to plead their case.

The commission rejected the plea, saying it is an internationally recognised norm that the petitioner files supporting documents along with his petition, which Ezdi failed to do in this case.



Lawmakers assured members of the commission that they have already filed declarations on oath that they are not dual nationals and are ready to repeat their vows once again if the commission directs them to do so.

They also said that Ezdi should be sued for levelling baseless allegations against them. Thereby, the commission castigated Ezdi and dismissed his petition.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2013.