Pakistani lawmakers elect Sharif’s ally as replacement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani lawmakers yesterday elected former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, an ally of ousted leader Nawaz Sharif, to replace him, and the new premier immediately sought to project an image of stability.

Lawmakers of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) party banged on benches and chanted “Lion, lion Nawaz Sharif” after the vote, standing defiant in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to cut short his third stint in power.

A quick transition may ease fears that the nuclear-armed nation will be plunged into another bout of political turmoil, which could erode economic and security gains since the last poll in 2013.

Sharif resigned on Friday after the Supreme Court disqualified him for not declaring a source of income – which the three-time premier disputes receiving.

He nominated staunch ally Abbasi as interim leader until his brother, Shahbaz becomes eligible to take over, probably within two months.

Abbasi was confirmed with 221 votes in the 342-seat National Assembly as the PML-N used its hefty majority to push through his appointment.

But the plan to eventually install Shahbaz has also sparked anger among supporters of opposition leader Imran Khan.

Khan has called the family a “monarchy” and accused it of trying to turn the country into a personal fiefdom.

Shahbaz is now chief minister of eastern Punjab province that is home to more than half of Pakistan’s 190 million people. – Reuters