Panama Papers leak: Pak awaits SC ruling that could disqualify Nawaz Sharif

Police in riot gear on Thursday surrounded Pakistan's highest court in the capital, Islamabad, as it prepared to deliver a decision that could unseat Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over corruption allegations related to the Panama Papers leaks.

Such a move would leave Sharif's party in power, but trigger intense turmoil just when the economy is showing modest growth and security has improved as the civilian government and the powerful military have appeared to come to uneasy terms.

Police barred people from entering the court precincts as a five-member bench prepared to hand down the highly anticipated ruling at 2 p.m.