Thaindian News

Islamabad, June 13 (IANS) Pakistan’s former interior minister Rehman Malik has denied knowledge of any film related to Arsalan Iftikhar, son of Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and who is allegedly involved in a graft case.

Malik, now an adviser on interior affairs to Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, has also categorically denied that the government is aware of the film, Dawn reported Wednesday.

In a statement issued under oath, Malik said neither he nor the federal interior ministry had any information about a film on Arsalan Iftikhar.

The chief justice had earlier stepped down from a Supreme Court bench hearing the suo motu case of his son allegedly receiving millions of rupees from powerful real-estate tycoon Malik Riaz.

Malik has said that the accusations levelled by certain television anchors are unfounded and fabricated. He has directed that a Rs.3 billion (about $32 million) suit to be filed against the anchors.

Meanwhile, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Chaudhry Wednesday resumed hearing in a case relating to the dual nationality of Pakistani citizens.

The case is being heard by the bench following a petition seeking a declaration against parliamentarians and members of different provincial assemblies holding dual nationality.

On June 5, the apex court suspended Rehman Malik’s Senate membership for holding dual nationality.

The Supreme Court had also issued notice to 14 other parliamentarians and members of provincial assemblies belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).