The reference states: "No question of Malik's disqualification arises". Secretary Election Commission Afzal Khan said that there was no reason that proceedings be conducted against Malik. Last month, the Supreme Court had disqualified 11 members of parliament and provincial assemblies for holding dual nationalities, but sent the reference of Malik's disqualification to the chairman of Senate.
The reference sent to the Senate chairman binds the Chairman to file a reference against him (Malik) before the Election Commission within 30 days, which is required to take a decision on his status under Article 63 (2) of the Constitution. Malik also filed a review petition against the SC's sentence on Tuesday. Malik said the case was taken up against him on the request of an absconder and a proclaimed offender Syed Mahmood Akhtar Naqvi.