Dual nationality details sought from judges

LAHORE: Following the order of Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Lahore High Court has sought details from all judicial officers of Punjab about their dual nationality.

Lahore High Court has sent a letter to district & sessions judges of all 36 districts of Punjab, requiring them to provide details within three days pertaining to dual nationality of all judicial officers working in their respective districts.

“In case, on security anyone is found to have dual nationality, the learned district & sessions judge as well as the judicial officers will face the consequences entailing disciplinary action against them”, the letter further said. The information collected so would be transmitted to the Supreme Court for further proceedings, the letter added. Taking suo motu Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on January 17 had called information about the civil servants and judges in the district and superior judiciary having dual citizenship. The CJP had directed Registrars of all the five high courts and secretary establishment division to submit reports in this regard within 15 days.

plea against Rashid reserved: The Lahore High Court Friday reserved verdict on the maintainability of a petition seeking disqualification of Awami Muslim League’s chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad for not tendering his resignation as MNA despite an announcement made by him during a public gathering in Lahore. Before closing the hearing, Justice Shahid Karim expressed displeasure over filing of baseless and uncalled for petitions and asked the petitioner, “Why do you bring such unwarranted issues to court?”

A citizen, Mirza Muhammad Sadiq, had filed the petition pleading that Sheikh Rashid was no more “Sadiq and Ameen” as he deceived the people about his resignation from the National Assembly’s seat. He said more than a week had passed but the AML’s chief failed to submit his resignation to the National Assembly Speaker. He urged the court to invoke provisions of Article 62 of the Constitution and disqualify Sheikh Rashid.