Pakistan Picks Another PM But Raja Pervez Ashraf already accused of corruption By Matt Cantor, Newser User Posted Jun 22, 2012 8:09 AM CDT 2 comments Comments In this photo taken Thursday, June 21, 2012, Raja Pervez Ashraf is seen as he leaves the Parliament in Islamabad. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash) View 1 more image (Newser) – It's been a wild few days for Pakistan's leadership. First the country's high court gave Yousuf Raza Gilani the boot; then the ruling party's new nominee for prime minister was hit with an arrest warrant over alleged drug trafficking. Now, the party has nominated a new contender—and he's likely to become prime minister following a parliamentary vote today, the New York Times reports. "Raja Pervez Ashraf is our final nominee," said a party official, according to the BBC. But the controversy isn't over. Ashraf, once water and power minister, already faces anger over the country's electricity woes; he's also been accused of corruption. Opposition officials claim he scored kickbacks from private energy initiatives, and he was questioned by investigators in April. Ashraf isn't likely to win reelection, experts say—and that may be precisely why the Pakistan People's Party chose him. If he becomes PM, the high court will likely demand he open a corruption investigation into President Asif Ali Zardari. Gilani's ouster followed his refusal to do so; if Ashraf were similarly "disqualified," it would mark only a minor political setback for the party, analysts say. View 1 more image Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Story 2 comments Comments Next on Newser: Polygamous Towns in Arizona, Utah Sued by Feds More From Newser Go to Grid My Take on This Story To report an error on this story, notify our editors. Pakistan Picks Another PM is... 8% Annoying 58% Hilarious 8% Intriguing 8% Depressing 0% Brilliant 17% Scary Show results without voting You Might Like Sponsored Links Comments Read comment policy Showing 2 of 2 comments Skrybe Jun 22, 2012 9:01 AM CDT Sounds an awful lot like the two-party elections paradigm that we have in the States, only faster. Antagonist Jun 22, 2012 8:46 AM CDT Next !!!!!!!!!! They will hire them and then hit them with Corruption charges! Fucking Hilarious. Just going to sit back and watch the Circus !!!!! View all 2 comments Leave a comment