Dual nationality case: Rehman Malik asked to appear before court

Pakistan's Supreme Court has directed Interior Minister Rehman Malik to appear before it on October 3 to substantiate his allegation that there are "many" members of federal and provincial assemblies who hold dual nationality.

The apex court recently disqualified 11 federal and provincial lawmakers and said Malik stands to lose his membership of the Senate or upper house of parliament as they had all made false declarations about their dual nationality during the 2008 polls.

At the time, Malik had told the media that he knew of more lawmakers with dual nationality.

Following his remarks, the apex court had asked Malik to substantiate his claim.

The Interior Ministry then issued a clarification that said Malik had been misquoted by the media and that he had no information about other lawmakers with dual nationality.

Despite the clarification, the court yesterday issued a notice to Malik to appear before it on October 3 and "produce a list of parliamentarians and members of provincial assemblies as it has appeared in newspapers that there are so many dual national parliamentarians'.

A statement issued by the court said Malik had told the media on September 20 and 21 "that if he is asked by the Supreme Court or by the government, he could supply the names of the parliamentarians and members of provincial assemblies who enjoy dual citizenship".

The statement added: "Therefore, he is called upon to assist the court."

The court issued a separate notice to parliamentarians Shehnaz Sheikh and Ghulam Mujtaba Rai, who have been accused of having dual nationality.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is hearing the case against lawmakers accused of having dual nationality.

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