Consults predecessor over Cabinet

Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday met his predecessor Nawaz Sharif to “consult” him before finalising his Cabinet, the state media reported.

The two met at Mr. Sharif’s private residence in the hill resort of Murree near Islamabad where Mr. Sharif has been staying since he vacated the official residence two days ago after the Supreme Court disqualified him over the Panama Papers scandal.

Shahbaz also present

Shehbaz Sharif, who will take over from Mr. Abbasi after he is elected to the National Assembly, was also present during the meeting, the Pakistan TV reported.

Mr. Abbasi, a die-hard Nawaz Sharif loyalist, was on Tuesday elected as the interim Prime Minister by the National Assembly. He was later sworn in by President Mamnoon Hussain.

Mr. Abbasi has said that Mr. Sharif may have been disqualified by the Supreme Court but remains the “people’s Premier”. He has praised Mr. Sharif’s leadership and criticised Opposition parties for accusing him of corruption.

“It is my firm belief that Nawaz Sharif will return to the seat of premiership,” he said.