Nawaz Sharif under scrutiny in court over wealth claims

The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, is being considered for an investigation into his family’s wealth by Pakistan’s Supreme Court.

The court is considering corruption allegations against Sharif after investigators said his family had failed to account for the source of its financial assets.

The probe began when the Panama Papers leaks linked his children to offshore companies used to buy London flats.

This fuelled allegations that the companies were used to launder ill-gotten wealth.

The Prime Minister has repeatedly denied these allegations and claims the properties were acquired legitimately.

He has added that he does not personally own the properties.

Opposition groups in Pakistan have accused his family of using their political influence to amass wealth by unlawful means and are calling on him to resign.

Heightened security has been deployed to the Supreme Court, including the erection of barbed wire in some areas.