Possibility of Indo-Pak talks has receded further
Apparently, Shehbaz, 65, cannot immediately replace his brother as he is not an MP.
New Delhi/Islamabad: With the appointment of PML-N leader and former petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the interim Prime Minister of Pakistan until Nawaz Sharif’s brother Shehbaz is elected as member of Parliament, chances of Indo-Pak dialogue seem to have receded even further.
Apparently, Shehbaz, 65, cannot immediately replace his brother as he is not an MP.
In order to become the Prime Minister, he would have to be elected first. Hence, Mr Abbasi has reportedly been named as interim Prime Minister who will resign once Mr Shehbaz is elected.
On Friday, the Pakistan Supreme Court had disqualified Nawaz for dishonesty and ruled that corruption cases be filed against him and his children over the Panama Papers scandal, forcing the embattled leader out of office.
With Pakistan’s civilian establishment tottering, its hawkish Army is set to increase its already vice-like grip over the country’s polity leaving little scope for any dialogue.
With the Pakistan Army continuing its policy of pushing in terrorists into India, the Modi government also seems in no hurry to engage with Islamabad till it mends its ways. New Delhi continues to keep a close watch on the situation in its western neighbourhood.