Suspension of parliamentarian’s membership by the Supreme Court

Suspension of parliamentarian’s membership by the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Monday suspended the membership of another parliamentarian belonging to PPP for holding dual nationality.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, issued the orders to suspend the membership of Zahid Iqbal, while hearing a petition seeking disqualification
of lawmakers holding dual nationality. Zahid holds British citizenship. The court has already suspended the membership of Senator Rehman Malik, MNA Farahnaz Ispahani MNA, Muhammad Ikhlaq and Amna Butter (MPAs from Punjab, and Dr Ahmed Ali MPA from Sindh. Mian
Abdul Rauf, who was representing Zahid Iqbal, could not present the required passport.

Mian Rauf, the counsel for Zahid Iqbal, contended before the court that he had contacted his client in London some three days ago. He submitted that his client told him that if any documents were produced before the court against him in the instant case,
he would contest them before the court.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said if Zahid Iqbal provided evidence that he did not hold dual nationality, his membership would be restored.

The chief justice observed that the order should be sent to National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza and remarked that they would not discriminate as they had suspended the membership of Rehman Malik, who was holding an important post. Member of NA Jamil
Malik appeared before the court and submitted his statement in the court. He said he was not a citizen but a national of Holland.

The chief justice put up the following question in the court, “How can one be a national without being a citizen?”

MNA Farhat Khan, MPA Nadia Gabol, MPA Ashraf Chauhan, MPA Wasim Qadir and MPA Nadeem Qadir were again issued notices to appear before the court. During the proceedings, the court again directed Anwar Mansoor Khan, counsel for Rehman Malik, to submit renunciation
form and the receipt of the fee submitted to UK Border Agency.

On the request of Anwar, the Court granted more time to Rehman Malik to submit his documents.

The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing until July 2.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=27076

Posted by Rabiya Maqbool on Jun 26 2012. Filed under Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry