6 in race for Pakistan interim PM's poll

Six candidates on Monday filed their nomination papers for the interim Prime Minister's election to be held on Tuesday, Pakistan's parliamentary officials said.

Pakistan will elect an interim Prime Minister after the country's apex court on Friday disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding any public office over corruption charges.

Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party has nominated Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who submitted his papers with the National Assembly secretariat in Islamabad. The National Assembly of Parliament is the electoral college for the election of the Prime Minister.

Five other political leaders also submitted nomination papers for the poll, said office of the National Assembly Speaker, who will supervise the election.

Syed Khurshid Shah, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly who represents the major opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), is among the opposition candidates. Syed Naveed Qamar of the PPP will be his covering candidate.

Another key opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has fielded Sheikh Rashid Ahmad. He is the leader of Awami Muslim League, an ally of PTI.

The Islamic party Jamaat-e Islami has nominated Sahibzada Tariqullah and Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has propsoed Kishwar Zahra as their candidates.

The opposition parties have so far failed to agree on a consensus candidate but they have continued consultations to agree on one candidate, opposition sources said.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq will issue a final list after scrutiny of the nomination papers.

The PML-N and its allies still enjoy majority in the 342-member National Assembly and political watchers believe there will be no problem for the party's candidate to become the interim Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said he will continue the process of development projects started by the ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Talking to reporters in the parliament building, he said he will also fulfil the promises made by Nawaz Sharif and that his policies would continue till completion of the agenda of the country's development.

"On becoming the Prime Minister, I would form cabinet in consultation with the PML-N leadership and would adopt the policy of harmony and brotherhood with neighboring countries, particularly in trade sector," he said.

--IANS

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