Supreme Court of Pakistan
Supreme Court of Pakistan. — Photo by AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday suspended the memberships of three provincial assembly members in the dual nationality case, DawnNews reported.

However, the charges levelled against Finance Minister Hafiz Shaikh, Deputy Chairman of Senate Sabir Baloch and Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) MNA Khawaja Asif were dropped.

A three-member bench, headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, conducted the proceedings of the case. Former Interior Minister Rehman Malik, whose membership was temporarily suspended on June 5 on charges of holding British nationality, was unable to provide documents Wednesday which could prove the relinquishment of his British citizenship.

Rehman Malik’s counsel, Chaudhry Azhar, on being enquired about the status of the aforementioned documents said that his client was "busy fighting a war against militancy," which is why he was unable to provide the court with the evidence.

Moreover, Farahnaz Isphahani’s counsel did not attend the hearings of the court on which the Chief Justice said, “that the court will not send individual invites. If someone does not want to attend the proceedings they are free to do so.”

Khawaja Asif, Anoushey Rahman, Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Zahid Iftikhar, Tariq Mehmood and Sabir Baloch firmly denied the charges of holding dual citizenships after which the applicants who levelled the charges against the aforementioned politicians apologized and retracted their accusations.

During the hearing, PML-N’s member of the Punjab Assembly, Muhammad Ikhlaq, admitted of holding an American nationality and further said that he ran for the elections twice, however, he was unaware of the law regarding the dual nationality. The court appreciated his forthrightness but also said that he no one will be discriminated.

Attorney General Irfan Qadir raised objections and said that the court cannot suspend anyone’s membership, which is why all the suspended politicians should be reinstated.

The court disregarded the objections and suspended the membership of Amina Butter, Muhammad Ikhlaq, Ahmed Ali Shah, whereas other five defendants were given another chance to prove their claims.

The hearing was adjourned till June 21.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...