Islamabad: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Wednesday suspended a provincial and a federal lawmaker from MQM for having dual nationality, taking to nine the number of politicians against whom action has been taken on similar grounds.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry took action against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Farhat Mahmood Khan, a member of the National Assembly, and Nadia Gabol, a member of the Sindh Assembly.
The bench subsequently adjourned the case for two weeks.
The apex court is hearing a petition seeking the disqualification of lawmakers with dual nationality.
Yesterday, the bench had suspended PML-N leader Malik Jamil Awan's membership of Parliament.
The Supreme Court had initially taken action only against lawmakers of the ruling Pakistan People's Party.
It acted against Awan after some legal experts claimed it had so far not suspended PML-N lawmakers.
At a recent hearing of the case, Awan had himself acknowledged that he held Dutch nationality.
Last month, the Supreme Court suspended the membership of Parliament of three PPP politicians -- Rehman Malik, Farahnaz Ispahani and Zahid Iqbal.
The Supreme Court also suspended the membership of three lawmakers of the provincial assemblies of Sindh and Punjab.
At the time, Malik was the Interior Minister.
Following the action by the apex court, he was appointed a Special Advisor to the Premier on interior affairs so that he could continue heading the Interior Ministry.
The apex court has pointed out that the Constitution does not permit persons with dual nationality to become members of the provincial and national assemblies.
Reports have said the government is planning to introduce legislation to allow persons with dual nationality to serve as lawmakers.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, July 04, 2012, 23:30