In his first televised comments since the decision, Mr Sharif said he was removed by the Supreme Court on Friday over "baseless allegations".

He said the opposition campaigned against him in recent years, accusing him and his family of indulging in alleged corruption.

He said his hands are clean and that none of his family members misused government funds.

The former PM said he was pressured by the opposition to step down but refused to accept the demand because he believed the allegations levelled against him were baseless.

He said he felt sad over his removal from office as he was sincerely working for the nation like "a soldier".

Mr Sharif has named ex-minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as his successor, according to a senior party official.

Raja Zafarul Haq said Mr Abbasi's name was approved by lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League party at a meeting on Saturday, also attended by Mr Sharif.

Because Mr Sharif's party has a comfortable majority in Parliament, Mr Abbasi is expected to easily win the necessary parliamentary vote when it convenes next week.

It was also decided that Mr Sharif's younger brother, Shahbaz, who is chief minister of the powerful Punjab province, will contest election to the National Assembly, in the seat which falls vacant with Mr Sharif's disqualification by the Supreme Court.