Shahid Khaqan Abbasi named interim Pakistan PM until Shahbaz becomes an MP

Abbasi, the petroleum minister, will be incharge till the time Shahbaz is elected to Parliament, PMO

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Saturday appointed Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to take over as Pakistan's interim prime minister for 45 days, even as ousted Nawaz Sharif rallied behind his younger brother Shahbaz Sharif.

Abbasi, who held the portfolio of Petroleum and Natural Gas, will be incharge till the time Shahbaz is elected to Parliament, and then to the prime minister's office.

Shahbaz's ascension to the prime minister's office was considered to be a foregone conclusion, as the PML-N continues to hold a hefty majority in Parliament and can independently vote him into office.

He will likely seek election to the