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WORLD NEWS Tuesday 29 May 2018

Pakistan picks former chief justice as

caretaker premier

By MUNIR AHMED term without political Prime Minister Abbasi
Associated Press upheaval or dismissal by said his side and that of
ISLAMABAD (AP) — the military. opposition leader Shah
Pakistan's ruling party Outgoing Prime Minister had discussed all options
and the opposition on Shahid Khaqan Abbasi before they "agreed on
Monday selected a and opposition leader one name for the office of
former chief justice as the Khursheed Shah caretaker prime minister."
country's caretaker prime announced Monday that Both praised Mulk, who
minister for an interim two- Nasir-ul-Mulk has been served as Pakistan's chief
month period pending appointed caretaker prime justice from 2014 to 2015,
parliamentary elections this minister. Mulk will likely be saying he was respected
summer. sworn in on Friday. for his good reputation.
The government of the The development comes Imran Khan, the country's
Pakistan Muslim League after weeks-long deadlock popular opposition
party formally ends on on selecting a caretaker lawmaker and former
Thursday, when the prime minister and amid cricket star who aspires to
nation's parliament will be the ruling party's declining become Pakistan's prime
dissolved ahead of the popularity amid numerous minister after the July
July 25 balloting. Whoever scandals surrounding its elections, also welcomed
wins majority in parliament former head, Nawaz Sharif, Mulk's appointment.
in that vote will name the who was disqualified as Khan has been leading
next prime minister. prime minister last year rallies and fighting legal
It will be only the third time by the Supreme Court for battles against the Pakistan
in Pakistan's 70-year-long concealing assets abroad. Muslim League since In this July 5, 2014 photo, former Pakistani Chief Justice Nasir-
history that a parliament Sharif is currently on trial for 2013.q ul-Mulk speaks to reporters in Islamabad, Pakistan.
has finished its five-year corruption. Assocaited Press
Malaysia says it will axe high-speed railway to Singapore

Associated Press Mahathir said Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia may have to pay a
(AP) — New Malaysian penalty and will discuss
Prime Minister Mahathir the matter with Singapore,
Mohamad said Monday adding that "we will try to
that a planned high-speed manage it at the least cost
railway that would cut possible."
travel time between Kuala Mahathir's alliance won a
Lumpur and Singapore to stunning victory in May 9
just 90 minutes will be axed elections to oust scandal-
because it isn't beneficial. tainted former Prime
Mahathir said the Minister Najib Razak and
350-kilometer (218-mile) end his coalition's 60-year
rail project slated to be grip on power.
completed by 2026 is too The new government
costly. has said it will review
"It is a final decision, but it large-scale infrastructure
will take time because we projects, including
have an agreement with Chinese investment, to cut
Singapore," Mahathir said. costs after revealing that
"It is not beneficial. It is national debt and liabilities
going to cost a huge sum was over a trillion ringgit
of money. We will make Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a press conference in Petaling ($251 billion), or 80 percent
no money at all from this Jaya, Malaysia, Monday, May 28, 2018. Associated Press of gross domestic product,
operation." taking into account
The two countries signed an rail line with speeds of "game-changer" that will between the neighbors. government guarantees
agreement in December over 300 kilometers an boost connectivity and Currently, it takes at least and other payments.q
2016 to build the rapid hour and dubbed a strengthen economic ties four hours to travel by car.