ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced Tuesday the formation of a commission to investigate allegations made in the so-called Panama Papers that linked his family to a series of offshore companies.

“I have decided to set up a high-level judicial commission headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court. This commission will decide after its investigation that what is reality and how much weight these allegations should be given,” Sharif said in a TV address broadcast nationwide.

“Some of my friends advised me that because there are no allegations against me and that both of my sons are adults and responsible for their own affairs, I should remain separate from this issue... but my dear compatriots, I want the facts to be presented before the nation and every Pakistani should be aware of the reality of the allegations,” he said.

Among those named are three of Sharif’s four children — daughter Maryam, who has been tipped to be his political successor, and sons Hasan and Hussain — with the records showing they owned London real estate through offshore companies administered by Mossack Fonseca.

“I would ask those who repeat these stereotypical allegations and stage everyday a circus, that they go in front of this commission and prove their allegations,” Sharif said, while emphasising that his family’s wealth had been hard earned and they were being victimized.