Supreme Court gets list of more dual national MPs

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court Thursday said it had received another list of purportedly dual national parliamentarians belonging to PPP and MQM, while the interior minister, taking a U-turn on his media statements, told the court he has ‘no credible information’ about the dual national MPs.During hearing of dual nationality case, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said they have received a letter stating that Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain, Murad Ali Shah, Nadir Magsi, Sassi Palejo, Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad, Babar Ghauri, Abdul Rauf and Waseem Akhtar also hold dual nationality.The judge asked the interior minister to check the status of dual nationality of these parliamentarians. The court on Malik’s request also granted him exemption from appearing before the court in the next hearing, directing him to submit report about dual national lawmakers through interior secretary within three weeks.In response to a news item appeared in an English daily and Rehman Malik’s press talks wherein he claimed of knowing about more lawmakers holding dual nationality that had not been disqualified by the SC, the apex court through its short order on September 20 had issued directives to Malik and journalist Umer Cheema to assist it by disclosing names of such legislators.But Malik informed the bench that he does not have any “credible information” about such parliamentarians. He pleaded that his statements, being a minister, are protected by the constitution and that he respects the court. However, he submitted that he is ready to submit dual nationality holder parliamentarians’ names after submission of their fresh declarations in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).Malik said the ECP has sought affidavits from all parliamentarians by October 30, adding that officials concerned had been deputed to work on a report relating to list of dual national parliamentarians. Directing the minister to submit record of dual nationality holders through interior secretary to SC Registrar Office within three weeks, the bench adjourned hearing of the case for date in office for three weeks.

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