Abbasi likely to retain PM office until general elections: sources

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is likely to retain the PM office until the next general elections as the PML-N leadership is divided on the issue.  

Geo News quoting sources said the some of the senior leaders of PML-N believed that Shahbaz Sharif should remain chief minister of Punjab until the coming elections scheduled to be held sometime after June, 2018. 

They were of the view that the party would suffer damage if Shahbaz Sharif leaves the CM office and becomes PM.

However, some senior leaders opined that Shahbaz Sharif may give better leadership to the party in the centre and also help complete the ongoing development projects.

A PML-N's consultative meeting was held here on Wednesday with former prime minister Nawaz Shairf in the chair.

The sources, however, added a final decision in this connection would be made later.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday decided not to stay at the Prime Minister House.

Sources said a house located in one of the sectors of Islamabad has been accorded the status of camp office for Prime Minister Abbasi.

Under the Blue Book, official security and protocol has also been provided to the prime minister who was elected by the parliament with 221 votes on Tuesday.

The newly-elected prime minister, however, has refused to accept additional security vehicles and protocol.

Abbasi would perform his official duties and hold meetings at the PM Office instead of the PM House, the sources concluded