Ally of Pakistan's ousted PM Nawaz Sharif nominated to replace himJuly 31, 2017 - 14:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A close ally of ousted Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday, July 31 submitted papers in parliament to become the new premier, part of a two-part plan by the ruling party for a smooth transition that will see Sharif's brother take the reins later, Reuters reports. Former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is expected to be elected the new prime minister on Tuesday by Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party's majority of lawmakers. Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered Sharif disqualified from office last week over unreported income uncovered during a sweeping investigation of his finances. The court also ordered a separate criminal investigation into Sharif and his family in its ruling, which Sharif's allies have portrayed as political meddling but opposition leader Imran Khan has hailed as a victory for the rule of law. Abassi on Monday stressed he would continue Sharif's policies. His tenure is expected to last only about two months until Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, becomes eligible to be prime minister by winning a parliamentary by-election. "Our party will succeed with our majority, God willing," Abassi told reporters inside parliament after filing the official nomination papers. "The policies we had until Friday, we will continue with that," he added. Sharif's PML-N party won elections in 2013 and holds a majority of 188 seats in the 342-member parliament, so it should be able to swiftly install its choice of premier, barring defections from its own ranks. Over the weekend Sharif said he was shocked by Friday's Supreme Court ruling disqualifying him over unreported income from a company owned by his son in Dubai. Sharif said the monthly salary - equivalent to $2,722 - was nominal and he never actually received any of it. Sharif's two previous stints in power were also cut short, the second ending in a military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf in 1999. Initially placed under house arrest, Sharif went into exile before returning to win a resounding victory in 2013 elections. The Supreme Court employed the little-used Article 62 of the Constitution, which calls for the dismissal of any lawmaker deemed dishonest, to remove Sharif. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |