Massive opposition rally held in Pakistan after PM’s resignation

It was an investigation into the claims, which first erupted with the Panama Papers leak a year ago, that eventually saw the Supreme Court oust Nawaz Sharif.

In a sign that ousted PM Nawaz’s influence will remain strong within Abbasi’s government, the announcement of his win was followed by the parliament reverberating with lawmakers shouting Sharif’s name, “Nawaz Sharif!”.

In the meantime the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which enjoys a majority in parliament, has nominated ex-oil minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim prime minister.

No prime minister in Pakistan has completed a five-year term since parliamentary democracy was introduced here under the constitution in 1971 and its powerful military ruled for much of its 70-year history.

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.

The Supreme Court in its verdict in the Panamagate case had found Nawaz Sharif “unfit to hold office” following which he stepped down from his post.

On July 30, Sharif named his brother Shahbaz, Punjab province’s chief minister, as his successor. There was no immediate confirmation of when the vote would take place.

NPR’s Diaa Hadid reports from Islamabad that there were cheers, boos and demands for order in Pakistan’s National Assembly as Abbasi was chosen with about two-thirds of the vote.

The PPP has made a decision to field a strong candidate against the nominees of its rival parties.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had nominated Abbasi as interim prime minister candidate.

“I was not expecting what happened to me yesterday”, he said.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered Sharif disqualified from office last week over unreported income uncovered during a sweeping investigation of his finances.

The decision sent his political opponents into the streets handing out candies and beating drums in celebration.

At least 20,000 supporters of Pakistan’s main opposition leader Imran Khan crowded into an arena on Sunday evening for a raucous rally – dubbed the “Thanksgiving Rally” – to celebrate Sharif’s ousting.

When asked by a journalist as to how does he see the democratic process, the army chief replied: “Democracy is progressing; it is a good thing”.

Last year, Sharif’s family wealth was investigated after documents from a law firm in Panama were leaked and implied that his children owned companies overseas.

Shehbaz Sharif is the son of late Mian Muhammad Sharif and brother of Nawaz Sharif. And now, he will act as a placeholder for the Sharif dynasty.