The Latest: Pakistani lawmakers elect Imran Khan as PM

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Latest on developments in Pakistan (all times local):

5:55 p.m.

Pakistani lawmakers have elected former cricket star and longtime politician Imran Khan as the country’s next prime minister.

In the vote on Friday at the National Assembly, Khan secured 176 votes, defeating the opposition’s candidate, Shahbaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League, who got 96 votes.

The populist Tehrik-e-Insaf party got most seats in the July 25 vote but fell short of a majority in the 342-seat house.

Khan is to be sworn in as prime minister on Saturday. His mandate lasts five years.

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5:20 p.m.

Pakistani lawmakers are gathering in the National Assembly, or lower house of the parliament to elect the former cricket star and longtime politician Imran Khan as the country’s prime minister.

The vote in parliament is due on Friday afternoon. Khan is assured to win, following his party’s victory in last month’s general elections.

The populist Tehrik-e-Insaf party got most seats in the July 25 vote but fell short of a majority in the 342-seat house. It has since acquired backing of a total of 180 lawmakers. He needs 172 votes to be appointed to the post.

Khan’s only challenger could be Shahbaz Sharif, but his Pakistan Muslim League party won only 92 seats in last month’s elections.