Pakistan's top court disqualifies 11 lawmakers over dual nationality

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's top court on Thursday disqualified 11 members of parliament over holding dual nationality, court officials said.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik is among the lawmakers who have been barred from taking part in election for five years, a short order of the Supreme Court said.

Malik was holding British nationality. He had claimed that he had given up British nationality but could not satisfy through his statement before a three-member bench.

The court also ordered the disqualified legislators to return all privileges to the national exchequer they had received over the past five years.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) was also addressed in the verdict asked to take a new oath from all members of parliament.

Malik, who rushed to the court shortly after the verdict, said he accepts the court's order. "I respect courts," he told reporters. Enditem

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