ISLAMABAD: Rehman Malik's counsel, Barrister Anwar Mansoor, on Thursday said that the Supreme Court had not disqualified his client through its verdict on the dual nationality case, adding that, it was up to Senate Chairman Nayyar Hussain Bukhari to decide on Malik's membership, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives after the court's verdict in the said case, Mansoor said Malik remained a senator as well as a minister, adding that, the court had forwarded the matter to the Senate's chairman.

The Senate's chairman would assess the legal requisites and implications and then decide on Malik's membership, Mansoor said.

Responding to a question, the counsel said the decision pertaining to initiation of criminal proceedings against Malik would be taken by a concerned court.

On the occasion, Malik, who was accompanying his counsel, said he respected the decision of the Supreme Court.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court ruled that lawmakers holding dual nationalities were not eligible to hold any public officers and declared all such lawmakers as disqualified.

Ruling that Rehman Malik was a British citizen until May 29, 2012, the verdict stated that the PPP leader was not transparent with respect to his statements and could no longer be considered ‘sadiq’ and ‘ameen’.

The Senate’s chairman should send a reference against Malik, the court ruled, adding that, the minister’s affidavit for the Senate’s election was not factual.

On July 27, Malik was sworn in as the federal minister for interior. Earlier the same day, Malik had also taken the oath as a member of the Senate. Malik was elected unopposed in the by-election for the Senate seat vacated by him following a legal battle over his dual nationality. He had subsequently renounced his UK citizenship.