Shahabuddin May be Next Pakistan PM

The ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has nominated senior leader Makhdoom Shahabuddin for the post of premier following the Supreme Court's disqualification of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The decision was made at a meeting of senior PPP leaders chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari early morning on June 20, 2012, Geo News channel quoted its sources as saying. The meeting further decided to convene a session of the National Assembly or lower house of parliament on June 21 to formally elect the new leader of the House, the report said.

There was no official word on the development from the PPP or the presidency. The move came in the wake of two separate meetings of the PPP's central executive committee and the leaders of the ruling coalition led by the PPP.

Both meetings had authorized Mr. Zardari, the head of the PPP, to choose the new premier. A formal announcement about the nominee for the post of premier is expected after a meeting of the PPP's parliamentary party scheduled for this afternoon.

Reports said former premier Gilani had expressed reservations over the candidature of Mr Shahabuddin during the meeting of the PPP and its allies last night. Both Mr Gilani and Mr Shahabuddin belong to the southern part of Punjab and political rivalries were believed to be the reason for Mr Gilani's reservations.

Leaders of parties in the ruling coalition have assured Mr Zardari of their full support for the election of the new premier. The leaders further advised Mr Zardari not to confront the apex court over the disqualification of Mr Gilani.