The Supreme Court on Monday suspended the membership of Pakistan People’s Party MNA Zahid Iqbal for holding dual nationality. A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the proceedings of the dual nationality case. Lawmaker Zahid Iqbal of the PPP, Jameel Awan of the PML-N and Anwar Mansoor, the counsel for Rehman Malik, appeared in court. The counsel of Zahid Iqbal said he would defend all allegations leveled against his client.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said if Zahid Iqbal provided evidence that he did not hold dual nationality, his membership would be restored.
In the course of the proceedings, the chief justice remarked that the court was hearing the dual nationality case under Article 184 and people did not appear before court even after issuance of notices.
Malik’s counsel told the SC that his client had submitted the copy of his passport.
The chief justice said the court did not need a copy of his passport, rather it needed nationality renouncement certificate of Rehman Malik and ordered its submission on the next date of hearing.
Moreover, Jamil Malik said he held Dutch nationality but he was not a citizen.
The chief justice questioned his statement, “How can a person be a national and not a citizen?”
MPA Tariq Alvana rejected the allegations leveled against him and requested more time from the court.
Justice Jawad S Khawaja remarked that people holding dual nationalities should not be part of Pakistan’s assemblies.
MNA Farhat Mehmood, MPA Nadia Gabol, MPA Ashraf Chouhan, MPA Wasim Qadir and MPA Nadeem Qadir were also issued notices to submit their documents again.
The Supreme Court then adjourned the hearing until July 2.
The apex court has already suspended the membership of Rehman Malik from Senate and Farah Nawaz Ispahani for holding dual nationalities.
