Pakistan’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif looked poised today to return to office with a resounding election victory – a mandate that could make it easier to tackle the country’s daunting problems, including growing power cuts, weak economic growth and shaky finances.

PAKISTAN’S Supreme Court ramped up pressure on the nation’s government yesterday, beginning contempt proceedings against the prime minister for failing to carry out its order to reopen a corruption case against the president.