PML-N may keep Shahid Khaqan as PM by 2018 polls

• Thinking is being developed in the party that Shahbaz must 
• continue as Punjab CM instead of contesting for NA's seat
• Cabinet formation further delayed as consultation continues,
• Likely to sworn-in today; Ch. Nisar not becoming part of it

ISLAMABAD: The ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz may keep Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as Prime Minister of Pakistan by 2018 general elections.

The ruling PML-N had to elect a new Prime Minister as former PM Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

It was decided earlier that Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will serve as interim Prime Minister till Shahbaz Sharif the chief minister of Punjab province becomes eligible to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Talking to IRNA, Member of Parliament and senior member of PML-N Rana Muhammad Afzal said that thinking is being developed in the party that Shahbaz Sharif must continue as Punjab Chief Minister instead of leaving the office and contest for the National Assembly election to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

He added that after Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was elected as prime minister, many in the party think that the former retain the position for the remaining term of the PML-N government.

"We must not disturb the Punjab province, but the final decision might come in one or two days," he said. 

Interim Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi continued consultation with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership on formation of new federal cabinet for the second consecutive day on Thursday.

Abbasi held the meeting with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Murree's Changla Gali area at Shahbaz Sharif's residence. The names and portfolios of the ministers are likely to be finalized Thursday.

In the decisive phase, the PML-N leaders have taken a key decision to in ex-Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for the second time and out ex-Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar from the cabinet.

Sources said Ishaq Dar agreed to accept his previous slot on Nawaz Sharif's request

The sources said the PML-N leaders have agreed that key portfolios should be given to the same people who held ministries in the Nawaz Sharif cabinet, if old policies were to be continued.

However, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has refused to join the cabinet. 

The oath-taking of the cabinet is expected Friday morning.

Sources said the meeting also discussed Shahbaz Sharif's election from National Assembly seat NA-120 to become prime minister in the future.

NA-120 fell vacant upon the disqualification of prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the Supreme Court last week. The polling has been scheduled for Sept 17. 

Sources claimed that Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan will no longer be part of the federal cabinet, having served as interior minister in Nawaz Sharif era before his disqualification on July 28.

Mutual consultation between members of the senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership in Murree continued on the second consecutive day as it is yet to name the final list of cabinet members.

The meeting was attented by newly appointed PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Nawaz Sharif Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif, Pervez Rashid and others. It is yet to be decided which PML-N lawmakers will secure their names in the federal cabinet. The senior leadership is discussing the names for ministries of defence, interior and foreign affairs.

It is also being pointed out whether Shehbaz Sharif should contest from NA-120 and consequently be appointed as the premier after his brother's ouster. Sources revealed that former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar will not be the member of federal cabinet.

A majority of PML-N lawmakers will retain their ministries and Nisar will join the cabinet if Shehbaz Sharif takes over as PM, according to sources. It is also likely that Daniyal Aziz would make his way into the cabinet of PM Shahid Khaqan and most of the ex-state minister will retain their ministries, in addition to a few new names.

On the other hand, leaders including Daniyal Aziz and Marriyum Aurangzeb arrived at the consultation meeting at Hamza Shahbaz's residence where workers of PTI and PML-N had a face-off. 

Both groups teamed up separately to chant slogan against the rival party. While PTI supporters were tasked to demonstrate outside the lawmaker's house, PML-N workers decided to defend and counter the protest. - NNI