Pakistan parliament elects Khan ally as speaker

The choice indicates the former cricket captain has enough support to become prime minister

In this photo released by the National Assembly, newly elected parliamentarian Imran Khan, left, takes the oath of office with Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. Pakistan's newly elected parliament convened Monday for the first time since last month's general elections that saw the party of former cricket star turned politician Khan win most seats, propelling him toward the post of the country's next prime minister. (National Assembly, via AP)
Powered by automated translation

Pakistan's lower house of parliament has chosen an ally of Imran Khan to be its next speaker, indicating he has enough support to become prime minister despite lingering allegations of election fraud over the July 25 ballot.

Asad Qaiser, a politician from Mr Khan's Tahreek-e-Insaf party, secured 176 votes, edging out joint opposition candidate Khusheed Shah, who got 146.

Mr Khan, a former cricket star and longtime politician, appears set to become prime minister when the National Assembly votes on Friday, and would be sworn in on Saturday.

His party won the most votes in the election, but had to forge alliances with independents to be able to form a majority coalition.

Opposition parties have held regular protests and refused to accept the outcome of the vote, accusing the military and intelligence agencies of intervening on Mr Khan's behalf.