The head of the Pakistani government’s anti-corruption wing has refused an order by the country’s top court to arrest the prime minister in a corruption case.

A court today ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s brother, three days before the siblings are to return to Pakistan to challenge President Gen Pervez Musharraf, a lawyer said.

Corruption cases against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif have been reopened in Pakistan, and a court today ordered the arrest of his younger brother ahead of their return home from exile next week.

Pakistan’s former navy chief was charged today with receiving kickbacks worth more than £3.5m (€5.44m) in connection to the purchase of three ships by the national shipping company.