Pakistan braces for court ruling likely to remove Sharif

A top court in Pakistan is set to deliver a verdict that could disqualify Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over corruption allegations and trigger turmoil across the country.

Local media reports said that the looming Supreme Court ruling would be announced on Thursday.

The news comes as a drawn-out investigation related to the "Panama Papers" leaks, which revealed the Sharif family's offshore wealth, has neared conclusion.

The court had agreed to investigate the family's wealth late last year after opposition leader Imran Khan threatened street protests.

Judicial experts say the court action could clear the prime minister or order a further judicial commission of inquiry or even declare him ineligible to hold office,

Both the government and opposition figures have expressed confidence over the imminent ruling.

Talal Chaudhry, a prominent leader of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said the court would clear the prime minister of corruption charges.

"There is no chance that decision will come against our leadership. Our government and entire leadership are performing their duties as per routine," local media outlets quoted Chaudhry as saying.

Naeem ul Haque, a spokesman for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), however, expected a verdict against Sharif. "Imran Khan has clearly stated that we will accept the decision of the Supreme Court, but we believe that enough evidence has been presented to remove the prime minister and that a verdict should be reached that is based on the evidence." 

Observers say disqualifying Sharif would leave his party in power, but it would cause intense turmoil across Pakistan.

SS