Panama papers case: Pakistan SC to decide PM Nawaz Sharif''s fate today

Pakistan's Supreme Court is set to give a decision in the Panama papers case against Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif and his offspring amid speculation that a negative ruling may force him to step down. The Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that its five-member bench will issue a verdict in the case on Thursday.

The case was launched on November 3 and the court held 35 hearings before concluding proceedings on February 23. The case was based on several identical petitions by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan and others about alleged illegal assets of Sharif's family in London.

The assets surfaced when Panama papers - a collection of leaked documents - showed that they were managed through offshore companies owned by Sharif's offspring.

The petitioners have asked the court to disqualify 67-year-old Sharif under Article 62 and 63 of the constitution because he was involved in corruption. It is generally believed the court may not disqualify the Prime Minister but it may pass comments which will bring moral pressure on Sharif to step down.

"I don't think he will be disqualified but his moral authority may be impacted," said Manzoor Wassan, a senior leader of opposition Pakistan People Party (PPP). Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of PPP, in an interview with a private TV channel asked Sharif to resign in case the decision went against him.

"We did not resist when the Supreme Court disqualified Yousaf Raza Gilani. We chose another Prime Minister. Nawaz should do the same," said Zardari.

Zardari's handpicked Prime Minister Gilani stepped down in 2012 when the Supreme Court convicted him for disobeying court orders. Zardari chaired an important meeting of the PPP  also called another meeting today after the court decision to assess the political situation.

Sharif's nemesis Imran Khan and his party announced that it would launch a movement for the next election irrespective of the decision. Khan held a meeting of party leaders on Wednesday and asked them to remain in Islamabad to decide the further course of action.

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, one of the petitioners, said that the decision would be "historic". "It will result in a political earthquake in the country," he said in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, in a series of tweets Sharif's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, dispelled the impression that the premier was worried about the judgement.

"People love Nawaz Sharif. It is not about the primeminister speaking. It's what he's speaking. His narrative is constructive and about development and progress. Eyes forward, mind focused, heart ready...game on, world! Wazir-e-AzamNawaz Sharif," one of her tweets said.

She also taunted the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf saying: "When all your plans have miserably failed and your precarious future hinges on... your best bet is a court decision".

Sharif's supporters are adamant that their leader is"innocent" and will emerge stronger after the verdict. "His name is not in the Panama leaks. He has not committed any wrong. So he will be victorious," said Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.

Rafique also said that the election will be held as scheduled in 2018. Security has been increased in and around the court. Dozens of policemen and personnel of law enforcing agencies are present on the court premises. Regardless of the impact of the decision, it is believed that it will be an important milestone in Pakisan's fight against corruption.