ISLAMABAD: Candidates intending to become the next prime minister have to submit their nomination papers to the National Assembly Secretariat by 2pm today, following which the assembly speaker will scrutinise the documents.

A session of the National Assembly has been called on Tuesday, August 1, at 3pm to elect the prime minister following the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court on Friday. 

The parliamentary party meeting of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz decided on Saturday to make Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif ? the brother of the ousted premier ? to be the party?s candidate for the slot. However, at the meeting, Nawaz announced that former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be the premier until Shehbaz is elected to a National Assembly seat and subsequently made the prime minister.

"If you support anyone after me, I ask you to support Shehbaz Sharif," said Nawaz during the meeting, held at the Punjab House a day after Nawaz's ouster by the apex court.

"It will take Shehbaz Sharif 50-55 days to take over as prime minister. He will have to contest [national] elections. For the interim period, I am recommending Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for the position of prime minister."

Then prime minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified from holding public office by the Supreme Court on Friday.

Sharif was disqualified under Article 62 (1) (f) of the Constitution over his failure to disclose un-withdrawn receivables constituting assets from a UAE-based company. It implied he was not ?honest? and ?truthful?, as per the country?s Constitution.

Opposition parties yet to unite 

Opposition leaders in a huddle earlier this month. Photo: File  

 

The opposition parties have yet to unite behind a joint candidate to oppose the PML-N nominee for prime minister.

Although the PML-N holds a majority in the National Assembly and can easily elect its own candidate, the opposition intends to 'put up a fight'. 

Sources said a meeting will be held at the chambers of Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah today to decide on a joint candidate. 

Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rasheed, an ally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), acquired nomination papers on Sunday after being declared the PTI's candidate.

However, other opposition parties have yet to publically endorse Rasheed as their candidate for prime minister. 

Sources said the government, as well as the opposition, have approached the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan for supporting their respective candidate. 

Opposition parties such as Qaumi Watan Party and Awami National Party are unlikely to rally behind the PTI candidate.