ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday summoned Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif over opposition leader Raja Riaz’s allegations that he held ‘dual nationality,’ DawnNews reported.

Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Raja Riaz had alleged that the Punjab CM had ‘dual nationality’ and the Election Commission should look into this.

“There are reports that Shahbaz has a dual nationality and I request the Election Commission to investigate the matter,” Riaz had told reporters on Wednesday.

The SC, taking notice of these allegations today, issued notices to both Sharif and Riaz to appear before the apex court on October 17. The SC has also sought details from all those newspapers in which Riaz’s allegations on Sharif’s dual nationality were reported.

According to Pakistan’s constitution, members of the Parliament and assemblies can not be nationals of a country other than Pakistan while holding public office. The Supreme Court is hearing several cases against legislators allegedly having dual nationality. The SC recently disqualified 11 members of parliament and provincial assemblies for the same reason.

On Wednesday, the SC suspended the membership of PML-Q MNA Begum Shahnaz Sheikh after she failed to reply to repeated court notices seeking explanation about her Australian nationality.

The Supreme Court will conduct its next hearing on the case on October 17.