The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday suspended Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Rana Asif’s membership from Punjab Assembly (PA) in dual nationality case. A petition was submitted in the LHC against MPA Rana Asif, who holds Pakistani and Canadian nationalities. The petitioner said that according to the constitution, a dual nationality holder could not contest election. The court accepted the petition for hearing after suspending of Rana Asif’s membership. Rana Asif told the court that his Canadian nationality was temporary, and was not affected by the constitution.
The court barred the PML-N politician from attending the Punjab Assembly sessions, while remarking that Rana Asif possesses a Canadian passport, which is issued only to citizens. After suspending Rana’s PA membership, the court said the dual nationality holders could not become members of the assembly. The LHC, adjourned the hearing until October 12, and asked Rana Asif to present his passport in the next hearing.
