Shamelessly continuing asPakistan’s Interior Minister, despite tons of dirt on his face, Rehman Malik’s quest for survival is finally running out of steam. Last week, he had to eat his words regarding a list of parliamentarians with dual nationality that he claimed he had. His offer to present the list to the Supreme Court if asked to do so was clearly meant to create controversy around the apex court short order, disqualifying 11 parliamentarians for holding dual nationality and directing the Election Commission of Pakistan to initiate legal proceedings against them for filing false declarations. Through lying in court and his clever-by-half tricks, the Minister has managed to escape the fate of the disqualified parliamentarians for now, but it is only a matter of time before the long arm of law catches up with him as well. The question is: why is the Zardari regime so determined to retain him?

In 2010, when the Lahore High Court upheld his conviction on corruption charges, he was promptly pardoned by President Zardari saving him from disqualification. Earlier, when he was inducted as Federal Interior Minister, questions were raised about handing over the security of the country to a man, who, as the Chief Security Officer of Benazir Bhutto, fled the scene of her murder in the backup vehicle meant for her rescue in such an emergency. When in June this year, his membership to the Senate was suspended by the Supreme Court because of his refusal to file the declaration of renunciation of British nationality in the court despite its repeated directions in the dual nationality case, and he could not legally continue as the Interior Minister, he was given the title of Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior so that he could continue to call the shots at the Ministry. His reluctance to file the required document was not without reason.

During the proceedings of the case, Rehman Malik had submitted a false statement in the court in writing datedApril 19, 2012, that said: “I renounced my British nationality on 25.03.2008 before I held public office. I thus do not hold any other citizenship including of British nationality, except that of Pakistani citizenship.” The letter from the British Home Office finally submitted in the court as proof of his renunciation was actually issued onMay 29, 2012. The short order notes: “In addition to it (the letter from British Home Office), declaration of renunciation bearing stamp of registration was also enclosed in terms of legal provision noted therein. But surprisingly, the copies of this declaration were not placed on record, despite the fact that the court repeatedly directed for filing of the same.” Naturally, filing the actual declaration of renunciation would have exposed his false statement about renouncing the British citizenship in March 2008.

So clearly, Rehman Malik had not renounced his British citizenship before holding public office, and he had filed a false declaration before the Election Commission of Pakistan when he contested his first Senate elections. He would have been the 12th parliamentarian disqualified in the dual nationality case, but he had another trick up his sleeve. Thinking he could save himself from disqualification, Rehman Malik resigned from the Senate in July this year, claiming that he’d done so for the sake of democracy and to quell allegations that the government was bringing in the constitutional amendment making dual nationals kosher for public office to protect him. He thought that his resignation would end his woes in the court and his quick re-election to the Senate after his renunciation of British citizenship would protect his office. This bought him some time, but his ordeal is definitely not over.

He might have been re-elected the second time after renouncing his British citizenship, but that doesn’t wash away his crimes of filing a false declaration before the ECP the first time round and lying before the court. The Supreme Court has directed the Chairman Senate to take action against Rehman Malik regarding his false declaration while filing nominations for the 2008 Senate elections and the ECP will denotify him when it receives a reference from him. If the Senate Chairman does not act within 30 days, the ECP will act against him, as in the case of the other 11 parliamentarians who fall short of a basic qualification for representing the people. As the short order states: “Mr A. Rehman Malik, in view of the false declaration filed by him at the time of contesting the election to the Senate held in the year 2008, wherein he was elected, cannot be considered sagacious, righteous, honest and ameen within the contemplation of section 99(1)(f) of the Act of 1976.”

The question remains: why is the Zardari regime so determined to retain him? After the announcement of the Supreme Court short order, the Attorney General wrote to the ECP a letter that basically asked the Commission not to follow the Supreme Court order. Subverting the Supreme Court is a constant theme as far as the Zardari regime is concerned, and it has done everything to achieve that end: disobeying court orders, protecting criminals instead of prosecuting them, thwarting investigation, challenging the apex court’s moral authority in the name of parliamentary supremacy, scandalising the court through contempt-filled utterances of partymen and shady businessmen, buying bar leaders to oppose the honourable judges, and what not. In Rehman Malik’s case, Zardari’s PPP has clearly gone that extra mile. Is it because he’s doing such a wonderful job as the Interior Minister?

Facts on the ground suggest the exact opposite. Under his stewardship of the Interior Ministry, we have seen the security situation within the country going out of control. His clownish utterances and dubious actions are viewed as contributing to the lawlessness. He is one of the most despised and ridiculed figures in the government. Even senior PPP leaders have held him responsible for the mess inKarachiand Balochistan. In Gilgit-Baltistan, he is viewed as a hurdle in curbing sectarian strife. Why is the Zardari regime so keen to protect this man whose reputation as a liar has now been certified by his conduct in the dual nationality case? A friend says that creating chaos in the country is his assignment, and he is indispensable to the government because he is doing his assigned job very well. It is difficult to think of any other reason.

The writer is a freelance columnist. Email: hazirjalees@hotmail.com