Rehman Malik’s British citizenship was renounced this week, and not in 2008 as he previously claimed.A highly reliable source has told this correspondent that Rehman Malik only filed the Renunciation of Nationality (RN form) in person on Monday, 28th of May, 2012. Malik had arrived in London on Sunday afternoon in the same Pakistan International Airlines flight with the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

“The Home Office has officially renounced Abdul Rehman Malik’s British nationality (date of birth 12-12-1951). The Home Office has confirmed to Rehman Malik that his British nationality stands renounced now and he has been sent the declaration of renunciation bearing a stamp of registration. Malik was informed of this decision on Wednesday, 30th of May. His status has been renounced with effect from 30-05-2012,” the highly trusted source said. Rehman Malik paid £299 in fees.

The source confirmed that Rehman Malik appeared in person to submit a declaration of renunciation and produced his Pakistani passport before the Home Office passport section to meet two key requirements, binding on anyone wishing to renounce his citizenship. The first requirement is that the applicant must apply either direct to the Home Office if present in the country or through the nearest British embassy, if out of the United Kingdom.

Rehman Malik submitted his renunciation application under English Law, which is governed by the provisions of sections 12 and 34 of the British Nationality Act 1981, which state that anyone who wants to renounce his British nationality must complete RN Form, sign, date and submit it to the Home Office. Rehman Malik also showed a copy of his passport to the Home Office to confirm that he was “of full age”, a key requirement.The Home Office decision to renounce his nationality means that Malik has satisfied the Home Office that he has another nationality, i.e. Pakistani, and that he was doing so on his own free will.

A recorded delivery was dispatched from the Home Office to Rehman Malik’s home address near Edgware Road which was received on Thursday, The News has further learnt.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday rejected the documents submitted by Rehman Malik and observed that the documents presented by Malik’s counsel did not contain the declaration that the interior minister has renounced his British citizenship.

Rejecting the papers submitted by Malik’s legal counsel, the court noted that the form submitted by Rehman Malik renouncing his British citizenship was filled on April 25, 2008, whereas at the last hearing of the case, Rehman Malik had submitted that he had renounced his British nationality on March 25, 2008, before holding the public office.

The News had written for the first time that Rehman Malik will have to produce before the Supreme Court the Home Office stamped RN form confirming that his British nationality stands revoked.

Malik, along with hundreds of other PML-N and PPP activists, fled to London in 1990s, first to escape the vendetta of PML-N against the PPP and vice versa and then the martial law rule of Pervez Musharraf, and were granted political asylum.

Malik has said publicly said that he took oath of public office in Pakistan after renouncing his British nationality but his claim gave birth to suspicions that he could not have had the foresight to have done so four years ago when dual nationality was not an issue. It is not clear how the renunciation of British nationality will affect Malik’s expansive business interests in London in real estate, security industry and fast food. It is believed that he will continue to control his businesses under his wife and children’s names who all hold British nationality as well as his nephews and other relatives who are all settled in London.

The facts surrounding the case of Malik’s nationality renunciation may not only cause huge embarrassment to the beleaguered federal minister but could also lead to the court taking action against him for supplying incorrect evidence that he had renounced his nationality in early 2008. The charges of perjury are a serious possibility if it is proven that Rehman Malik attempted to mislead the highest court of the land.

Dr Tahir H Wasti, a London based expert on Pakistani and South Asian laws and a Supreme Court of England solicitor, commented: “Submitting false evidence in a court of law is a serious crime under Pakistan’s Criminal Justice System. Chapter XI of the Pakistan Penal Code deals with the issues related to false evidence and offences against public justice. Section 191 to 197 deal with the offences and punishment of giving and fabricating false evidence in courts. Section 193 of the PPC enunciates that whoever intentionally gives false evidence in any stage of a judicial proceeding, or fabricates false evidence for the purpose of being used in any stage of a judicial proceeding, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term, which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.”

The Home Office refused to answer questions on the events around Rehman Malik’s application to the Home Office, whether he discussed this issue with the Home Secretary or any other official and why his application was processed on emergency basis. Malik held meetings with Theresa May — the first one with the delegation and then the two met one-on-one — and Immigration Minister Damian Green earlier this week.

A spokesperson said the Home Secretary was “delighted to welcome Interior Minister Rehman Malik to the UK” and described as the visit as “one of many valuable meetings held regularly at all levels between our governments”.