New blow to Pak PM

In a setback for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan's Supreme Court yesterday ordered a probe into the Panama papers scandal involving corruption allegations against the family of the beleaguered premier.

The larger five-member bench conducted the hearing in presence of several cabinet ministers, lawyers of petitioners, senior PTI leaders and media.

The apex court said it was ready to appoint a probe commission headed by a judge and armed with powers of the Supreme Court.

The court also ordered the government and petitioners to present their Terms of Reference (ToR) for the probe panel.

It will decide to harmonize the ToR if the parties could not come up with the agreed set of ToR. Before its adjournment till tomorrow, the court also expressed willingness to hold hearings on a daily basis.

Reacting to the court's ruling, Imran Khan said the planned anti-government rally will now be marked as a day of thanksgiving in Islamabad.

Addressing a press conference outside Bani Gala, Khan thanked those who were part of his struggle against corruption.

"Go home and rest," Khan told supporters, "You have to return to Islamabad tomorrow to celebrate thanksgiving at Parade Ground."

"I am elated that the investigation into Nawaz Sharif's (alleged corruption) will begin day after tomorrow."

Authorities have arrested scores of party supporters and shut a major motorway leading from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Khan's political heartland. After the Supreme Court decision, officials said the highway barriers would be cleared.

PTI had announced the rally in Islamabad to force Sharif to resign for a fair probe into the scandal.

According to the Panama Papers, three of Sharif's four children - Maryam, Hasan and Hussain were owners of offshore companies and "were owners or had the right to authorise transactions for several companies."

Sharif and his family have dismissed the allegations of money laundering and denied any wrongdoing but the opposition is demanding an independent probe.