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Pakistan premier nominated

June 21, 2012

Pakistan's president has nominated a party loyalist for prime minister. This follows a Supreme Court ruling barring current premier Gilani from holding office. Now the leadership aims to defuse the political crisis.

https://p.dw.com/p/15IpO
Supporters of ruling Pakistan People Party shout slogans after the Supreme Court convicted the Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani of contempt.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has nominated Textiles Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin to be the next prime minister.

Shahabuddin is a former deputy finance minister and leading member of the ruling Pakistan People's Party (PPP). He is said to have close relations with all parties in the coalition government. His portfolios at various times throughout his career include the treasury, planning and development, health and textiles.

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Tuesday disqualified Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani from holding office.

This week's Supreme Court ruling came almost two months after the Supreme Court convicted Prime Minister Gilani of contempt for refusing to ask Swiss authorities to reopen a corruption case against Pakistan's president, Asif Ali Zardari.

After the speaker of the parliament stated last month that there would be "no question of disqualification," Gilani decided not to appeal his conviction.

The prime minister is elected by the National Assembly, the lower house of the parliament.

President Zardari will ask parliament to endorse a new prime minister on Friday.

rg/ncy (AP, Reuters, AFP)