Shahid Khaqan Abbasi meeting MQM-P's Wasim Akhtar. Photo: Geo News screen grab 

ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is attempting to win over the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) before the National Assembly elects a new prime minister. 

A meeting between PML-N and MQM-P leaders is under way in the residence of MQM-P's Farooq Sattar at the Parliament Lodges. 

PM-nominee Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair and party leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and Abdul Qadir Baloch are representing the government whereas the MQM-P members in the meeting include Ali Raza Abidi, Karachi Mayor Wasim Akhtar, Kishwar Zehra ? the party's nominee for PM ? and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, among others. 

Sources said that the MQM-P has decided to vote in favour of the PML-N candidate.

Opposition parties yet to agree on joint PM candidate

A meeting of opposition parties' members failed to yield any result

The MQM, which is the fourth largest party in the assembly, will formally announce its decision after the meeting, sources added.

The party will have to withdraw the nomination of Zehra who is contesting the election for the premier.