Pakistan to elect new Prime Minister tomorrow

Pakistan's lawmakers will elect a new prime minister on Tuesday to replace ousted leader Nawaz Sharif, with ruling party stalwart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expected to become interim leader until Sharif's own brother is eligible

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Pics/AFP

Pakistan's lawmakers will elect a new prime minister on Tuesday to replace ousted leader Nawaz Sharif, with ruling party stalwart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expected to become interim leader until Sharif's own brother is eligible.

The confirmation from parliament came after Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain convened a special session following Sharif's decision to put forward his ally Abbasi as interim leader and named his brother Shehbaz, 65, as long-term successor. Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party holds a majority with 188 seats in the 342-member parliament, so it should be able to swiftly install its choice, barring any defections from its own ranks.

Abbasi on Sunday vowed to continue Sharif's work. "I hope that God will help me in furthering Nawaz Sharif's policies," he said, adding to speculation that Sharif will continue to run the show behind the scenes.

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