Rehman Malik sworn in as minister

E-Paper | May 03, 2026

A view of the Senate in Islamabad. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Rehman Malik was sworn in as federal minister on Friday shortly after his swearing in as a Senator, DawnNews reported.

Malik was administered oath of office by President Asif Ali Zardari and was handed over the portfolio of interior.

A notification in this respect was also issued by the Cabinet Division.

Earlier today, lawmakers of the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) staged a walk out from the Senate over the summoning of an emergency session which they alleged was expressly called for Rehman Malik's oath-taking as a Senator.

Friday's session of the Senate began under the chairmanship of Nayyar Hussain Bukhari and Malik was administered oath of office soon after.

PML-N lawmakers protested the calling of the session which they said had been summoned in order to administer Malik the oath of office.

Earlier this month, Malik had been elected unopposed at a by-election in the same seat for the Senate which he held prior to his June suspension, paving the way for him to be reconfirmed as a cabinet minister. The swearing-in ceremony was broadcast live on state television.

The Supreme Court had suspended Malik from parliament on June 4 for allegedly running for the Senate in 2009 while still holding British citizenship.

During today's Senate session, Senator Zafar Ali Shah of the PML-N inquired over the rationale behind summoning an emergency session, adding that, the cost of holding a session of the upper house of parliament was 16 million rupees.

Moreover, PML-N’s Senator Ishaq Dar said that Friday's session was not in accordance with the Senate's calendar, adding that, if this was how the government intended to conduct matters, there were little chances of improvement in the future.

During the session, Senator Saeed Ghani of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) said that the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board was not fulfilling its responsibilities, adding proper chlorination of water supplied to the city was not being done leading to deaths due to waterborne infections.

Senator Ghani urged that the government should take action on the issue.

Subsequently, the upper house's session was adjourned to July 30 (4:00 pm).

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Muhammad Asim

Jul 27, 2012 01:31pm

Yes and these darkest days because of our deeds what we do same response come in the form of our leaders, diseases and troubles like occurring now a days.

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desi

Jul 27, 2012 10:26pm

Why would you want to put the blame on other people,every person has a choice when they come to that point,strong person will always choose the right path,weak one will fall prey to greed like everyone in our government.Its not a habit,its your character,your inner self(zameer) in Urdu i think.

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Shan

Jul 27, 2012 04:22pm

How does he get reelceted again and then given the same post where he is resigned from. This Govt have no value/accountablity at all. He is British first and he showed it how he acted after the Passport scandel. If poeple vote for them again. Then we deserve it . Shame on the people who given there vote for the such a corrupt politicians.

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singh

Jul 27, 2012 01:05pm

I am surprised that Rehman malik has No shame at all for come back when the court kicked out him for holding UK citizenship.

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msk1965

Jul 27, 2012 01:37pm

No brief vacation lets call it paid holidays

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iqbal

Jul 27, 2012 01:38pm

Like Arab spring, why Pakistani people are not getting up and taking these criminals out. Pakistani people deserve these criminals if they continue to elect ppp.Li

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rabia

Jul 27, 2012 05:22pm

exactly... we are responsible for whatever is happening in our country.. we make society.. society is because of us not we because of society...

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desi

Jul 27, 2012 10:28pm

BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.I love a good joke and that was epic,good one Ali bhai.

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Salah-Ud-Din

Jul 27, 2012 05:52pm

being Pakistani is something to keep quiet about nowadays as there is nothing respectful about it anymore. SHame on the country and its politcal elite for lining their own pockets and amassing personal wealths at the peril of an impoverished people.

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Khizr

Jul 27, 2012 09:47am

And again and again

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shahid

Jul 27, 2012 01:54pm

Rehman Malik a shameless personality

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Zero

Jul 27, 2012 10:45am

Can too! And will insha'Allah .. the educated and enlightened class of Pakistan, who are a visible presence on DAWN'S forums .. under the leadership of people like Imran Khan.

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Khizr

Jul 27, 2012 09:46am

Agreed, we should not blame US, but we should blame UK for our corruption :)

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Iqbal Khan

Jul 27, 2012 01:12pm

Days were bright when Ayub Khan was ruling this country.

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Ijaz Ahmad

Jul 27, 2012 10:06am

"high moral values of 99% majority of Pakistani people" WOW Such a MORAL society and degenerating........ This can happen only in PAKistan I am a believer today - "No" one can change us

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Danish Anjum

Jul 27, 2012 12:35pm

Lets continue to condemn such acts on each and every forum. Spread the message! Its wrong. Say it billions times (like media does) so people of Pakistan start believing it . . . and eventually awareness will come ~ ummmm Not sure but you never know !

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Jamshed Khan

Jul 28, 2012 12:36pm

Democracy is just a cover. We have criminal gangs ruling the country in the name of democracy. It is perhaps time for the nation to rise up. We really need an Asian spring, starting from Pakistan.

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Jag Jai

Jul 27, 2012 11:48am

I hope in the next election the people of Pakistan elect honest representatives working in the interest of the nation and not for themselves.

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ali

Jul 27, 2012 11:58am

We need to be honest with ourselves first starting with our families. If all of these online comment posters (including myself) would speak to/sort out our own families and educate them about the consequences of choosing the same old people. Things would not be what they are now. We make the society. We are corrupt, our decisions are corrupt that is why our leaders are corrupt. Its not a new phenomenon, its an intergenerational issue. We do have the ingredients to be a good society but lack the will.

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Saad (DXB)

Jul 27, 2012 12:44pm

Simply disgusting.. I am so ashamed of Being a Pakistani today Is there a country out there who will give its nationality to a highly educated Pakistani??

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Syed Ahmed

Jul 27, 2012 02:16pm

'A horse A horse My kingdom for a horse'

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Lax Sawkar

Jul 27, 2012 02:06pm

Slap on face of Supreme Court and CJ. What a country!

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gujarbaadshah

Jul 28, 2012 10:30am

Appointing Rehman Malik once again is a complete mockery of Pakistani law and democracy. Any post for the highest bidder. Embarressing. Pakistan Zindabad!

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Riaz Murtaza

Jul 28, 2012 12:28am

Corruption at its heights. Hassan Nisar is right that we are not a nation, not even a crowd. Even Crowd has some direction ! We are leading no where but to a worse.

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desi

Jul 27, 2012 11:04pm

Here is what I think the problem is,as I sit thousands and miles away from my Pakistan watching cable news,when they show the political gatherings,what do you really see there,not the educated but the ones who can barely write their own name in their native language,most of them still use the thumb print.And mind you,there are over 180 million people in Pakistan,supposedly 80% or better are uneducated(maybe the figure is wrong)If its true then I see how and why these clever politicians lie thru their teeth and force all the lies on the public who could'nt even tell a simple the difference between a honda and a nissan lol.By the way,our people are simple,caring and loving and I don't want to over look the greatness of our pakistani brothers and sisters.Its time they learn the truth,its time to educate them about realities of politicians and their agendas.All this may sound like I'm insulting our poor peope but thats not true.I'm a Pakistani and I have never forgotten that,ever,not even after 33 years of being away.Unfortunately our politicians don't give a hoot about Pakistan,only their pocket book.

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Saeed K

Jul 27, 2012 10:03am

He delibrately tried to beat the system while he was UK citizen.Now he is back in the senate,special session of was called to swear him in. Every day 7-10 peole become victims of target killing in Karachi. As interior minister,what has he done to stop it?. He is Zardari's bagman, mostly carrying messages to supremo of MQM in London.

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Zeeshan Shamsi

Jul 27, 2012 12:24pm

The news article should read "Rehman Malik has rejoined the NA and Senate after his brief vacation"

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gujarbaadshah

Jul 28, 2012 10:43am

HAHAHA! Typical moronic claim. First of all, the educated and enlightned class of Pakistan is so marginalised in politics, that the impact made is almost not noticeable. And giving your trust to Imran Khan, is proof that the "enlightned" isn`t that enlightned afterall. His fame as a cricketer has given him his votes and blinded his followers. It is easy call for change when not in power. But how can he make changes when he teames up with the likes of Shah Mehmood Qureshi??? Tehrik e insaf lost its credibility by doing what was needed for common acknowledgement; dealing with the Devil(s)

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Kamran Khan

Jul 27, 2012 08:26am

How is he eligible to get elected for the senate, while he is still having foreign nationality?

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elcay

Jul 27, 2012 09:37am

Very well said Kamran Khan. Who has verified his renunciation certificate? Sindh election commissioner is not to be trusted -he has proved his bonafides in the Mrs. Shah case. I wonder why the newly appointed EC is quiet? I am 100% sure that Mr. Malik is still a British Citizen

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Moiz

Jul 27, 2012 08:38am

Mr Rahman Malik delibrately conceled fact of holding dual nationality at the time of his first election to Senate. In order to avoid dis-qualification, he resigned. His re-election confirms the mockery of moral values of our ruling junta. He, Dusti and likes them do not represent the high moral values of 99% majority of Pakistani people.

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FJ Siddiqui

Jul 27, 2012 04:17pm

Now as there is consensus almost that things are going in absolutley wrong direction, it is time to act. We all must vote in next elections and elect the guys other than those who are currently in power. Else we will loose the right to complain even.

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Raza

Jul 27, 2012 09:15am

Darkest days for Pakistan having criminals minds ruling the state affairs. Pakistan has seen the worst and will emerge to glory after these darkest days in our nation history. All thanks to our fore-fathers not putting national interest before their personal/family/tribe interest.

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Usman Chaudhry

Jul 27, 2012 09:21am

More so the irony is people will again elect them as their representatives. Complete idioticy .

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Jabbar

Jul 27, 2012 09:23am

It is sad that we blame USA for our corruption. If this was in USA, MR. MALIK would have been charged for treason and HANGED. But, since this is Pakistan criminals rule the country with pride.

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khail007

Jul 27, 2012 09:24am

Can you point-out an era, when Pakistan was neither having the darkest days and not ruled by criminal minds?

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Jamshed Khan

Jul 29, 2012 08:10am

Mushi had his defects but he was a walk in the park as compared with the current cohort of thugs and looters that are ruling the country...

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Imran A.

Jul 27, 2012 05:22pm

I wonder how many of the people who posted their comments here were also against Musharaf?

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Saeed Naqvi

Jul 27, 2012 03:23pm

Rehman Malik is renowned throughout this country. As one who creates waves with foot-in-the-mouth statements to the press and his antics in cabinet meetings, rather than his actions as a minister or senator. I think Pakistan would have been better off to have approved his UK citizenship and just let him go - this country deserves better.

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rewfcrd

Jul 27, 2012 10:04pm

very well said Ali. We need to start cleaning our houses first & inshaAllah these corrupt will have no place to hide & will be in jail. Other nations, past civilizations have done it, we can too. Pakistan Zindabad!

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Ali

Jul 27, 2012 03:57pm

Funny thing is that you asking of shame from the politicians of Pakistan and PPP

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Ishrat salim

Jul 27, 2012 04:02pm

Ali..''u r so right..Self-accountable is must...

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Zia from USA

Jul 27, 2012 04:40pm

So are we better off now with this democratically elected gov't, or were we better off before them?

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@hafizarabia786

Jul 27, 2012 06:14pm

We create an environment where it is alright to hate, to steal, to cheat, and to lie if we dress it up with symbols of respectability, dignity and love.

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Zia from USA

Jul 27, 2012 06:38pm

Musharraf was 1000% better! Pakistan was much better off.

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Moiz

Jul 27, 2012 06:46pm

We miss Musharraf, atleast I am...

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Zamzamay

Jul 27, 2012 06:47pm

This is just plain wrong.

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Hassan Parvez

Jul 27, 2012 07:30pm

Shame, Shame and Shame.

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mmymasood

Jul 27, 2012 08:41pm

As we all know, Allah don't help those who don't help themselves. This is a slap for the nation that he again appointed. What to do, just a shame mark for all of us.

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Anis

Jul 27, 2012 07:51pm

Our problem is that most of us Pakistani (lower class, medium class, upper class) we all think that I'm above the law. Even in developed, rich and super power countries people don't think they are above the law. In every democracy election day has very deep meaning. Let us use our heads on that day and kicked out all those crooks, corrupts, thieves, shameless and selfish. Let us all respect the law and order and tell the same thing to people around us. God always help those who help them self first.

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Syeda Arifa Hussain

Jul 27, 2012 09:13pm

Didnt we fight a war that we lost, incited Bangladeshis to eventual revolt and usurped Fatima Jinnah's election during Ayub's reign?

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najeeb aman

Jul 28, 2012 02:14am

It was suspected that he will return.but i wonder why he resigned?if he intended to come back.

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Rizwan

Jul 28, 2012 06:06am

well said

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