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Bloomberg
Pakistani lawmakers chose Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim prime minister to replace deposed leader Nawaz Sharif, settling political uncertainty caused by a Supreme Court decision last week that forced the former premier
to resign.
Abbasi, 58, who is considered a die-hard Sharif loyalist after serving in his cabinet as the petroleum minister, won 221 votes out of 305 polled by members of 342-seat National Assembly, according to Speaker Ayaz Sadiq. His closest rival Naveed Qamar backed by opposition Pakistan Peoples Party got 47 votes in Tuesday’s ballot.
Though Abbasi said he’ll continue Sharif’s policies, he will quit in about 45 days to make way for Shehbaz Sharif, the younger brother of ex-premier, according to a plan announced over the weekend by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party. The younger Sharif, who needs to quit his current post of Chief Minister of Punjab province and win an election to enter the National Assembly, will ensure the government completes its five-year term in June. The by-election on the seat left vacant after Sharif’s disqualification will be held on September 17, according to the country’s election commission.