Disqualified Pak lawmakers to face criminal charges in dual nationality case - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said Interior Minister Rehman Malik will face criminal proceedings along with 11 other lawmakers disqualified from their seats on account of possessing dual nationality. The ECP has also decided to hold by-elections on constituencies that have been rendered vacant due to the disqualification of the 11 members following the Supreme Court's September 20 order, reports The Express Tribune. The commission has decided to ask its provincial chapters to file references against the 11 members in the courts of district and sessions judges of their respective areas. Under the law, these members could face up to three years imprisonment, Rs 5,000 fine and disqualification for five years from being elected as members again. The commission, however, has decided to deal with Malik's case separately. ECP Secretary Ishtiak Ahmad Khan said Malik's case was distinct since he claimed that he had applied to get his British nationality renounced when he was elected as a member of the Senate in 2008. He had also resigned as Senator and contested fresh elections to retain the seat. Khan, however, said Malik still faces the charge of mis-declaration at the time of submitting his nomination papers in 2008.