Pak's ousted PM Sharif announces brother Shehbaz as successor

Islamabad : Pakistan's ousted prime minister named his brother Shehbaz, the Chief Minister of Punjab province, as his successor and nominated ex-oil minister as an interim premier in a defiant speech on Saturday.

The announcement charts a way forward for Pakistan after the Supreme Court ousted Sharif on Friday following an investigation into corruption allegations against him and his family, bringing to an unceremonious end his historic third term in power and briefly plunging the country into political uncertainty.

"I support Shehbaz Sharif after me but he will take time to contest elections so for the time being I



nominate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi," Sharif said in a televised speech to his party.

The younger Sharif holds only a provincial seat, so must be elected to the national Assembly before becoming the new prime minister.

Earlier on Saturday the Election Commission of Pakistan confirmed fresh elections would be held in Nawaz Sharif's former constituency.

Abbasi is set to be rubber-stamped as placeholder in a parliamentary vote, with Sharif's ruling commanding a majority in the 342-seat house.

The Opposition could also field a candidate for the premiership, though the nominee has little chance of getting sufficient votes.