Pakistan’s ruling party announces early parliamentary elections

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s ruling party says parliamentary elections will be held this year, earlier than expected.

The party has also put forward legislator Raja Ashraf as its new candidate for prime minister. The announcement came during a news conference Friday in the capital, Islamabad.

The parliament is scheduled to vote on Ashraf’s candidacy later in the evening. The ruling coalition has a majority so he is expected to be approved.

The news tops a tumultuous week in Pakistani politics.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday disqualified Yousuf Gilani as prime minister for failing to initiate a corruption probe of the president’s affairs.