ISLAMABAD, May 16: With PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif getting down to selecting his team for running the next government, a lot of diplomatic and media focus has been on his likely choice for the foreign ministry.

The choice will set the tone for his handling of foreign policy during his third term in office.

Several names have been floated, but Mr Sharif hasn’t taken a decision, according to his aides.

It wouldn’t be too long before the name is finalised and it is expected that his pick for the assignment will accompany him to Islamabad on Wednesday when he comes here to meet Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang.

Mr Sharif will call on Prime Minister Li on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said.

Before that, he will attend a lunch to be hosted by President Asif Ali Zardari in honour of the Chinese leader.

Speculations have coalesced around Senator Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal and Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan as the top contenders for the post. Sartaj Aziz, who served as foreign minister during Mr Sharif’s last tenure, is said to be a likely contender for the slot of adviser on foreign affairs if Mr Sharif decides not to appoint a minister.

If Mr Sharif’s meetings with foreign ambassadors who made a beeline for Raiwind after the PML-N’s victory were any indicator, the choice could be between PML-N’s experts on economy, Ishaq Dar and Sartaj Aziz.

The only factor going against Mr Aziz is that he is 84 and many think that he may not be physically fit enough to meet the rigorous demands of foreign relations.

Choice of an expert on economy as foreign minister or adviser will be in consonance with the PML-N’s manifesto.

It emphasises ‘reinforcing economic and commercial linkages for promoting sustainable and mutually beneficial relations’.

Chaudhry Nisar, the leader of opposition in the last National Assembly, is said to have expressed his interest in the slot, but has so far found few backers in Mr Sharif’s advisory team which is vetting the choices for various positions.

But one can’t still rule out a dark horse ultimately getting the job.

Former diplomats Riaz Khokhar, Shamshad Khan and Tariq Fatemi too have been eyeing plum slots as adviser or ambassadors to key foreign capitals.

It will be interesting to see what Mr Sharif has in mind for Mohammad Mehdi, his point man for the diplomatic community in Islamabad since his days of exile.

Sources indicated that Mr Sharif was also considering naming a new foreign secretary.