'Shahbaz' to be successor to Pakistan's Nawaz Sharif, 'Shahid Khaqan' as interim PM

Earlier the Supreme Court had disqualified Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from holding public office in a landmark decision on the Panama Papers case.

The Prime Minister’s office said in a statement that Sharif has “stepped down” despite having “serious reservations” about the judicial process. The federal cabinet also stands dissolved.

Shahbaz Sharif who is also brother of Nawaz Sharif will have to resign from his seat in Punjab Assembly and a new chief minister for Punjab will have to be chosen. He will then have to get elected from the seat left vacant by Nawaz Sharif.

Meanwhile, former petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will serve as an interim prime minister until Shahbaz reaches the National Assembly.

Punjab Excise and Taxation Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman is likely to replace Shahbaz as the chief minister of Punjab.

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