Rehman Malik sworn in as federal minister; will be Interior Minister

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Rehman Malik, Senior Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister on Internal Affairs, was on Friday sworn in as a federal minister by President Asif Ali Zardari following his re-election to the Senate weeks after he was forced to step down for his alleged British citizenship.

Zardari administered the oath of office to Malik at a ceremony in Islamabad. With his swearing in, Malik will again become the Interior Minister.

After the Supreme Court suspended his membership of the Senate or upper house of Parliament on the ground that he was unable to provide proof of renouncing his British citizenship, Malik had resigned as a lawmaker.

He was re-elected to the Senate on a seat reserved for technocrats earlier this week.

After his suspension, Malik was appointed a 'Senior Advisor' to the Prime Minister so that he could continue heading the interior ministry.

The Supreme Court recently suspended several members of the national provincial assemblies over dual nationality, including Farahnaz Ispahani, an advisor to Zardari.