PPP Nominates Shahabuddin for Prime Minister's Post

Earlier, reports said PPP leaders had taken the decision to pick Shahabuddin for prime minister's office late Tuesday.

Sources told Geo News the decision was taken at a meeting of party leaders under the chairmanship of President Zardari. But the final choice for the post was to be announced Wednesday evening following a PPP's parliamentary party meet.

On Tuesday, Gilani had expressed reservations over the choice of Shahabuddin during the meeting of coalition partners, who entrusted Zardari to nominate the new prime minister.

The apex court Tuesday ruled that Gilani stood disqualified as prime minister as well as Member of Parliament since the apex court's April 26 verdict held him in contempt of court for refusing to write to the Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against Zardari.

A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry heard a set of constitutional petitions challenging National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza's ruling that despite conviction for contempt of court Gilani could continue as the prime minister.

In April, the apex court had sentenced Gilani only "until the rising of the court", or till the time the judges left the court chamber. That was only for about 30 seconds after the verdict was handed down.