ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Monday heard the petition filed by Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr. Tahirul Qadri seeking the reconstitution of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Dispatch News Desk (DND) reported.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed hearing of the petition. During the course of hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry raised a question about the nationality of Dr. Qadri and legality of his petition being the dual nationality holder. In response, Dr. Qadri acknowledged that he was a citizen of Pakistan as well as Canada, adding that the documents relating to immigration would be submitted in due course.
Dr.Qadri said that he acquired Canadian citizenship in 2005 after resigning from the national assembly.The Chief Justice, then, said this makes it evident that you are the citizen of Canada for a long time and added that “Under the Article 63 of the Constitution, you are barred from becoming a member of the Pakistani Parliament.”
The Chief Justice directed Dr. Qadri to submit a comprehensive reply regarding his right to file a petition for the reconstitution of the ECP by Tuesday.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till Tuesday.
DND
