MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The Pakistani Supreme Court ruled on July 29 to remove Sharif following corruption investigation into his family. The investigation was launched after the Panama Papers leak revealed in April 2016 that Sharif's two sons and one of his daughters owned at least three offshore companies registered on the British Virgin Islands.
Sharif also requested for a restoration order allowing him to return to power until a review of the petitions is completed.
On August 1, the National Assembly of Pakistan supported the appointment of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who served as the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, as the country's interim Prime Minister. The new prime minister will be holding the post temporally until Shehbaz Sharif, the younger brother of the former prime minister is elected in the parliamentary by-election.