Pakistani lawmakers on Aug. 1 elected former Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as interim prime minister after the disqualification of former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Reuters reported.

Abbasi, who was nominated by Sharif's ruling party to face oppositions' candidates in a parliamentary election, will remain the prime minister until Sharif's brother, Shahbaz Sharif, runs for the National Assembly seat left vacant after the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, who was found dishonest in not disclosing his employment in a Dubai-based company in 2013 nomination papers.

Shahbaz Sharif, currently chief minister of the Punjab province and the ultimate choice for the prime minister role, would have to win that seat in a by-election scheduled for Sept. 17 before lawmakers could elect him as prime minister.

Abbasi is under an investigation by the National Accountability Bureau over potential corruption charges regarding a liquefied natural gas import contract awarded to the Elengy Terminal, a subsidiary of Engro, in 2013, according to DAWN News and ARY News.