A suicide bomber has targeted a Shiite shrine packed with worshippers in a remote village in Pakistan, killing 20 people and leaving at least 25 wounded in an apparent sectarian attack.

Ruling party candidate Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been elected as the prime minister of Pakistan, the speaker of the lower house of parliament said.

Pakistan's ruling party has named senior politician Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as successor to the deposed prime minister, a day after the Supreme Court removed Nawaz Sharif from office for concealing assets.