Nawaz Sharif: Difference between revisions

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Nawaz Sharif نواز شریف
Chief Minister of Punjab
In office 9 April 1985 – 13 August 1990
Governor	Ghulam Jilani Khan Sajjad Hussain Qureshi Tikka Khan
Preceded by	Sadiq Hussain Qureshi
Succeeded by	Ghulam Haider Wyne
Personal details
Born	Muhammad Nawaz Sharif (1949-12-25) 25 December 1949 (age 74) Government College University, Lahore

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif (

Chief Minister of Punjab from 1985 to 1990. He is Pakistan's longest-serving prime minister.^[2]

Born into the upper-middle class

1990, Sharif led a conservative alliance to victory and became Prime Minister. Later it was alleged that the election was rigged in favour of Sharif by the Pakistani intelligence agency, the ISI, channeling millions of rupees into his election campaign.^[3]

Sharif's first administration came to an end when then President

military instead ousted Sharif's government and exiled him to Saudi Arabia.^[5]

In the 2013

elections, Sharif's Muslim League formed a coalition government with Sharif Prime Minister in Parliament.^[6][7]

On the security front, in 2015 the military

sovereign debt,^[13] which has risen by 35%.^[14] Sharif's family has come under judicial scrutiny over the Panama Papers.^{[15][16][17][18][19]}

On 28 July 2017, Sharif was barred from public office by the Supreme Court of Pakistan for a period of 10 years. He was also put on the Exit Control List to prevent him from leaving the country, pending the NAB's continued investigation of corruption charges against Sharif and his three children,

Hussain and Hassan.^[20] Sharif submitted his resignation after the ruling.^[21]Sharif had a history of strong tirades against ‘container politics’. However, he himself is all set to do the same{(npov}} after he was disqualified by Supreme Court of Pakistan in the Panama Papers case, vehemently criticizing the apex court and its ruling.^[22]

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Personal life and education

See also: Sharif family

Government College University

, where Sharif studied business.

Nawaz Sharif was born in

create Pakistan in 1947, his parents migrated from Amritsar to Lahore.^[24] His father followed the teachings of the Ahl-i Hadith.^[26] His family owns Ittefaq Group, a multimillion-dollar steel conglomerate^[27] and Sharif Group

, a conglomerate company with holdings in agriculture, transport and sugar mills.

He is married to

Hussain Nawaz, is a businessman based in Saudi Arabia and currently resides in the Jeddah house.^[34] His younger son, Hassan Nawaz, is also a businessman and lives in London.^[35]

He went to

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry have raised important questions impending constitutional crisis in the country. Chaudhry called for electing a new interim Prime Minister to avoid the crisis.^[40]

Political career

Initial political career

Nawaz Sharif started his political career during the period of

Finance Minister of the Punjab.^[41] In 1981, Sharif joined the Punjab Advisory Board under General Zia-ul-Haq and principally rose to public and political prominence as a staunch proponent of the military government of General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq during the 1980s.^[24]

He maintained close relations with Zia-ul-Haq, who soon agreed to return the steel mill which had been lost to nationalisation by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.[24] Sharif maintained an alliance with General Rahimuddin Khan, who was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. During his political career, Sharif also had close ties with the Director-General of ISI, Lieutenant-General (retired) Hamid Gul, who played a substantial role in the formation of the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) – a conservative political alliance that supported Sharif.^[24]

Sharif invested in

privatisation and economic liberalisation.^[42]

Punjab Advisory Council

In 1981, he initially joined as a member of the

provinces of Pakistan, which also contributed in economical inequality between Punjab Province and other provinces.^[24] Due to its huge financial capital in the 1980s, Punjab Province was Pakistan's richest province and had a better standard of living compared to other provinces' standard.^[24]

Chief Minister of Punjab

In 1985 General Ghulam Jilani Khan nominated Sharif as Chief Minister of the Punjab, against the wishes of the new prime minister,

1985 elections and became Chief Minister of Punjab with the support of the army.^[24] He served for two consecutive terms as Chief Minister of Punjab Province, the most populous province of Pakistan.^[43] Because of his vast popularity, he received the nickname "Lion of the Punjab".^[44] As chief minister, he stressed welfare and development activities and the maintenance of law and order.^[36]

The provincial

elections were held in 1988.^[36]

1988 elections

Main article:

Pakistani general election, 1988

After General Zia's death in August 1988, Zia's political party–

Muhammad Khan Junejo.^[45] The Fida Group later took on the mantle of the PML while the Junejo Group became known as the JIP.^[45] The two parties along with seven other right-wing conservatives and religious parties united with encouragement and funding from the ISI to form the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI).^[45] The alliance was co-led by Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Sharif to oppose Benazir Bhutto's PPP in the elections.^[45] The IJI gained substantial majorities in the Punjab and Sharif was re-elected Chief Minister of Punjab.^[45]

In December 1989, Sharif decided to remain in the provincial Punjab Assembly rather than hold a seat in the National Assembly.[46] In early 1989, the PPP government failed to unseat Sharif through a no-confidence motion in the Punjab Assembly.^[45] Sharif retained control by a vote of 152 to 106.^[45]

First term as prime minister (1990–93)

The conservatives for the first time in the country's history, came into the power under a democratic system, under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif.^[47] Nawaz Sharif became the 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan on 1 November 1990 as well as head of IJI and succeeded Benazir Bhutto as Prime minister.^[47] IJI had been created and funded by the Zia loyalists in the ISI; it received Rs 15 million from the ISI.^[48] He campaigned on a conservative platform and vowed to reduce government corruption.^[47] He focused on improving the nation's infrastructure and spurred the growth of digital telecommunication.^[47] He privatised government banks and opened the door for further industrial privatisation, and disbanded Zulfikar Bhutto's policies.^[47] He legalised foreign money exchange to be transacted through private money exchangers.^[47] His privatisation policies were continued by both Benazir Bhutto in the mid-1990s and Shaukat Aziz as well in the 2000s.^[47]

Conservative policies

Sharif took steps to initiate Islamization and conservatism at once.

religious conservatism in Pakistan.^[47]

He raised the issue of Kashmir in international forums and worked toward a peaceful transfer power in Afghanistan so as to help end the rampant trading of illicit drugs and weapons across the border.

Ministry of Religion to prepare reports and recommendations for steps taken toward Islamization. He ensured the establishment of three committees.^[47]

• Ittehad-e-bain-ul-Muslemeen (Unity of Muslims Bloc)
• Nifaz-e-Shariat Committee (Sharia Establishment Committee)
• Islamic Welfare Committee

He believed in forming a Muslim Bloc by uniting all Central Asian Muslim countries thus he extended the membership of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to all Central Asian countries.^[47] Nawaz Sharif was confident that he had majority in the assembly thus he ruled with considerable confidence. He had disputes with three successive army chiefs.^[47] Sharif took the issue of environmentalism as part of his government platform, and established the Environmental Protection Agency in 1997, as part of his environmental conservatism policy.^[49]

Domestic issues

Main articles:

Operation Desert Storm, Operation Clean-up, Politics of Karachi, Economy of Karachi, and Civil-military operations

Following the imposition and passing of the

tighten its relations with Iran, and his foreign policy continued by Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf until the removal of Saddam Hussein in 2003.^[50]

Sharif contended with former

Asif Nawaz over the paramilitary operation in Sindh Province (See Operation Clean-Up).^[50]

Sharif, during his first term, found it difficult working with the PPP and the

Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), a potent force in Karachi.^[51] The MQM and PPP opposed Sharif widely due to his focus on beautifying Punjab and Kashmir while neglecting Sindh.^[51] The MQM, a liberal force, also opposed Sharif's conservatism. The clash between liberalism and conservatism soon erupted forces in 1992 when political tension began to arise in which both party renegading ideological war against each other.^[51] Despite MQM had formed government with Sharif, more and more problems were mounted between Sharif and the MQM in 1992.^[51] Sharif's government members passed the resolution in the Parliament, to launch the paramilitary operation to end the cold war between PML-N and MQM.^[51] During this time, the centre left Pakistan Peoples Party remained quiet and neutral while watching the impact of the cold war between liberal and conservative forces.^[51] Prime minister Sharif also contended this upcoming operation with Chief of Army Staff General Asif Navaz over the paramilitary operation in Sindh Province (See Operation Clean-Up).^[50] Launched in 1992, violence erupted in Karachi and brought an economic halt in the country that dismantled Sharif's industrialisation and investment that was being brought by Sharif.^[51] Benazir Bhutto, during the course of this episode, remained silent as she too had opposed the MQM.^[51] His operation continued by Benazir also, but due to amid pressure exerted by her brother Murtaza Bhutto, the operation came to halt.^[51] The period of 1992–1994 is considered the bloodiest years in the history of the city, with many went missing.^[51]

During his second term,

Hakim Said.^[51] Therefore, the Prime minister kicked the MQM out of the government on immediate effect and assumed the control of Karachi. MQM was forced to continued its political activities underground.^[51] This action led Sharif to claim the exclusive mandate of entire Pakistan, and for the first time in his political career, Sharif and his party had the control of Sindh, Balochistan, Northwest Frontier, Kashmir and the Punjab Provinces.^[51]

Industrialization and privatisation

Main articles:

Spontaneous phase, Privatization Programme and Economic liberalisation in Pakistan

Shortly after assuming the office of prime minister, Sharif announced his economic policy under the programme called, the "National Economic Reconstruction Programme" (NERP).[47] This programme introduced an extreme level of the Western-styled capitalist economic system.^[47]

Acknowledged since that the unemployment had become Pakistan's greatest disadvantage in economic growth and that only industrial and privatisation growth could solve the economic slow down.

nuclear energy program in entire country and peaceful and economic infrastructure was extensively built by him by the 1990s.^[47] Many of the nuclear medicine and nuclear engineering projects were completed under his government as part of Sharif's Atoms for Peace program

.

The

nationalisation programme of peoples party in the 1970s.^[53] However Prime minister Sharif lacked the charisma and personality of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto but countered Bhutto's ideology with full force, by imitating him.^[53] During the period of 1990–93, around 115 nationalised industries were put under private-ownership management but this programme came with highest surrounding controversies with lacked competition as the programme was largely controlled by favoured insider.^[53] The recklessness and favouritism shown in privatisation of the industrial and banking units by Prime minister Nawaz Sharif was to become the hallmark and the rise of strong business oligarch who have concentrated enormous assets, further increasing the wealth gap in Pakistan and contributing to the political instability.^[53]

Sharif also upgraded the Islamic laws such as

Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation, and Pakistan State Oil were opened up to the private sector.^[47] In 1990, Prime minister Sharif successfully privatised the National Development Finance Corporation^[47]

He introduced and inaugurated several large-scale projects to stimulate the economy, such as the

privatisation of major industries that were nationalised by former Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.^[47] Undoing what was previously done in the 1970s remained a challenge for Sharif but, despite the economical slow down, Sharif reverted major policies of Bhutto and under short span of time, 90% of the industries were industrialised and privatised by him.^[47] This radical move had a positive impact on country's economy and the economy progressed at an appropriate level.^[47] Sharif policies were also continued by Benazir Bhutto, who nationalised only those industries that needed a government bail out plan, and by Pervez Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz in the 2000s who managed to privatised all of the major industries by the end his term in 2008.^[47]

In his second term, Prime Minister Sharif built Pakistan's first major motorway which is known as

Autobahn of South Asia.^[47] This semi-government and semi-private mega-project was completed in November 1997 at a cost of US$989.12 million.^[47] His critics questioned the layout of the highway, criticizing its excessive length, its being away from the important cities, and the absence of link roads even with important towns. Furthermore, the funds originally allocated to the construction of Indus Highway linking Peshawar with Karachi were shifted to M2 Motorway thus benefiting his native Punjab and Kashmir provinces at the cost of other provinces. When the true nature of Sharif's motives were exposed, the people of other provinces were extremely displeased, leading to discordance and disharmony among provinces. The welfare of other provinces, notable Sindh and Balochistan Province, were not seriously taken by Sharif and his ruling chief ministers and people of these provinces were disenchanted with him. After the completion of this mega project, Sharif's policies were undermined by lack of capital for investments.^[47] There was an influx of foreign capital when he loosened foreign exchange restrictions and opened Karachi Stock Exchange to foreign capital, but the government remained short of funds for investments.^[47]

During his first term, Sharif focused his industrialisation on

Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), Sharif launched the Orangi Cottage Industrial Zone which was completed and finally inaugurated by him.^[47] However, prime minister's reputation in Sindh was widely damaged because of his focused on beautifying Lahore and Kashmir while he neglected other provinces.^[47] Sharif's industrialisation was also targeted by his opponents as it was focused and circled only on Punjab and Kashmir, Sharif's native provinces.^[54] His opponents argued that Sharif, as prime minister, obtained permits for building factories for himself and his business.^[47] Sharif was also blamed for expanding and finance Armed Forces' secretive industrial conglomerate and, is also blamed for bribing the generals to protect himself.^[54]

Sharif gave strong and vehement criticism to former Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's socialist economics policies, as citing as "lamentable state of Pakistan".[54] His privatisation policies were staunchly criticised by former science advisor Dr. Mubashir Hassan, calling it Sharif's privatisation "unconstitutional".^[54] Other PPP members also stood the fact that nationalisation measures were protected by the Parliament who gave this policy a constitutional picture and status. The Peoples Party felt the privatisation policies were illegal, had taken place without parliamentary approval and parliament was not taken in confidence.^[54]

By the end of the Sharif government's second term, the economy was in turmoil. The government faced serious structural issues and financial problems; inflation and foreign debt stood at an all-time high, and unemployment in Pakistan had reached its highest-ever point. Pakistan had debts of $32bn against reserves of little more than $1bn. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had suspended aid, demanding the country's finances be sorted out. Sharif attempted to put the Stock Exchanges under government control, but that move backfired brutally on him; by the time he was deposed, the country was heading for financial default.

Science policy

File:Jinnah Antarctic Station.jpg

Sharif took steps for intense government control of

Munir Ahmed Khan at United Nations. As like Benazir, the ongoing nuclear weapons and the energy program remained one of his top priority.^[55] Sharif countered the international pressure, and followed the same suit as Benazir's, and refused to make compromise to halt the program despite the United States having offered a large economic aid to Pakistan.^[55] Unlike Benazir, Sharif's nuclear policy was seen less aggressive towards India and focused the atomic programme for the benefit of public usage and civil society. Unlike Benazir's nuclear policy, his set forth nuclear policy was to build civil and peaceful nuclear power, and with that vision, Sharif intensively used the integrated atomic programme for medical and economic purposes. His nuclear policy was viewed by experts as vintage Atoms for Peace

program— the United States' 1950s program to use the nuclear energy for civil purposes, and to promote peaceful nuclear technology in the world as well.

In 1993, Sharif authorised to establish the

Institute of Nuclear Engineering

(INE) and promoted his policy for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. On 28 July 1997, Sharif declared 1997 a year of science in Pakistan, and personally allotted funds for the 22nd INSC College on Theoretical Physics. In 1999, Sharif signed the executive decree, declaring the day of 28 May as the National Science Day in Pakistan.

Nuclear policy

On 7 November 1990, the newly elected prime minister announced his nuclear policy and in public television, Sharif responded that: "The peaceful [atomic] programme of which... it would be accelerated to accommodate growing [nuclear] [e]nergy needs and to make up for rising [oil] prices. And, of course, (Pakistan) will to construct new nuclear power plants."[56] On 26 November, Sharif authorised talks with the US to solve the nuclear crises after the US had tightened its embargo on Pakistan, prompting Sharif to send his government's Treasure Minister Sartaj Aziz to held talks on Washington.^[56] It was widely reported in Pakistan that the US Assistant Secretary of State Teresita Schaffer had told the Foreign Minister Shahabzada Yaqub Khan to halt the uranium enrichment programme.^[56]

In December, France's

Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) but it must be provided "first" to India to do the same."^[56]

Sharif intensified his move to enhance the Pakistan's

integrated nuclear development and authorised projects that seemed to be important in his point of views.^[55] Sharif also promoted the peaceful nuclear energy programme, and signed the CHASNUPP-I reactor with People's Republic of China for the commercial electricity use.^[55] Sharif also responded to use the nuclear development in more of economical usage, benefited for the country's economy and its extension to the civil society.^[55] His policies to make the nuclear program for economical use was also continued by Benazir Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf.^[55]

1992 co-operatives societies scandal

Sharif also lost support from the Punjab Province and Kashmir Province as well when the co-operatives societies scandal became public.[47] Co-operatives societies accept deposits from members and can legally make loans only to members for purposes that are to the benefit of the society and its members.^[47] However, mismanagement of these societies led to a collapse in which millions of Pakistanis lost money in 1992.^[47] In Sharif's native Punjab Province and the Kashmir Province, around 700,000 people mostly poor people lost all their savings when the states cooperatives societies went bankrupt. It was soon discovered that the society had granted billions of rupees to the Ittefaq Group of Industries— Sharif's owned Steel mill. Though Ittefaq Group's management hurriedly repaid the loans to the affectees, but the Prime minister's reputation was severely damaged.^[47]

1993 constitutional crisis

In 1993, Sharif survived a serious constitutional crises when it was reported that Sharif developed serious issues over the authority with another national conservative president Ghulam Ishaq Khan.

1993 Parliamentary election, President Ghulam Ishaq Khan on 18 April 1993, with the support of the Pakistan Army, used his reserve powers (58-2b) (See 8th Amendment) to dissolve the National Assembly, the lower house. Khan appointed Mir Balakh Sher as the interim prime minister. When the news reached to Sharif, he forcefully rejected to accept this act and moved to Supreme Court of Pakistan, an apex court in Pakistan. On 26 May 1993, Sharif returned to power after the Supreme Court ruled the Presidential Order as unconstitutional and reconstituted the National Assembly on its immediate effect. The Court ruled, 10–1, that the president could dissolve the assembly only if a constitutional breakdown had occurred and that the government's incompetence or corruption was irrelevant.^[57] Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was the only dissenting judge, he later became 13th Chief Justice of Pakistan.^[58]

End of first term

However, issues with the president over the authority circled and a subsequent political stand off was instigated between president and Prime minister. Finally, in July 1993, Sharif resigned under pressure from the Pakistan Armed Forces but negotiated a settlement that resulted in the removal of president Ghulam Ishaq Khan as well. In July 1993,

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Shamim Allam and the Chief of Army Staff General Abdul Vahied Kakar forced president Ishaq Khan to resign from the presidency and subsequently ended the political standoff. Under the close scrutiny of the Pakistan Armed Forces, the new interim and transitional government was formed and new parliamentary election were held after three months.^[57]

Parliamentary opposition (1993–96)

See also:

Pakistani general election, 1993

New elections were held in the year of 1993 and the

Sindh Province.^[57]

Sharif joined with Benazir's younger brother Murtaza Bhutto and formed a political axis that worked tirelessly to undermine Benazir Bhutto's government and tapped an anti-corruption wave in entire Pakistan. The Nawaz-Bhutto axis targeted the Benazir Bhutto's government corruption in major state corporations and blamed Benazir's government for slowing down the economic progress. In 1994 to 1995, Sharif with Murtaza Bhutto began a "Train March", a phenomenon founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, taking them from Karachi to Peshawar during which huge crowds listened to their critical speeches. Sharif played a major part in organising labour and industrial strikes throughout Pakistan in September and October 1994. following the controversial death of Murtaza Bhutto in 1996, amid protests and spontaneous demonstrations in Sindh Province had led the Benazir's government losing control of the province. By 1996, Benazir Bhutto had become widely unpopular, in entire Pakistan, because of her high levels of government corruption and alleged involvement of her spouse role in her younger brother's death which led to their ouster in October 1996.^[57]

Second term as prime minister (1997–99)

By 1996, the national economy had come under intense situation and deadlock, and an economic failure was soon near.

its independence in 1947, and no other leader has enjoyed this level of extreme popularity.^[59]

Sharif served as

tit-for-tat policy.^[64]

When Western countries suspended

foreign currency reserves to prevent further capital flight, but this only worsened economic conditions.^[65][66] With rising unemployment and record foreign debt,^[5]

Atomic policy

During the 1997 elections, Sharif promised to follow his policy of nuclear ambiguity with the programme more benefited to people, and to use nuclear energy to stimulate the power in the country.[67] However, on 17 September 1997, Sharif acknowledged the fact that atomic bomb project which was started and successfully concluded in 1978, his interview was taken by the STN News which was broadcast in entire country before his state visit to United States. Sharif maintained that:

The issue of [atomic] capability is an established fact. [H]ence the debate on this [atomic] [i]ssue should come to an end.... Since 1972, [P]akistan had progressed significantly, and we have left that stage (developmental) far behind. Pakistan will not be made a "hostage" to India by signing the CTBT, before (India).

— Nawaz Sharif, Prime minister of Pakistan, statement on September 7, 1997, ^[67]

On 1 December, after returning from United States, Sharif then told the Daily Jang and The News International that Pakistan will immediately sign and become a party of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) but, if and only if, India signed, ratified and, becomes a part of CTBT first.^[67] Under his leadership, the nuclear program had become a vital part of Pakistan's economical policy as the program had become back-bone of economy of Pakistan in 1998.^[55]

1998 nuclear tests

Main articles:

Minimum Credible Deterrence (Pakistan)

The executive authorisation of Pakistan's nuclear testing programme was an important turning point in his political career that would bring his image into world prominence.^[65]

In his first term, Sharif funded Pakistan's nuclear, missile and space programme, as well as allotted funds for the science research, particularly its extension to defence. In May 1998, soon after

Kahuta Research Laboratories

— conduct the nuclear testing as well as leading the nuclear testing program.

Conduct the explosion.!

— Prime minister Nawaz Sharif ordering Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission to conduct Nuclear weapons tests, 1998, ^[65]

foreign exchange reserves of the country and the effect of inevitable economic sanctions which would be imposed on Pakistan if it carried out the tests. When it comes to voting, the prime minister did not oppose or propose the tests. The remainder spoke in favour of conducting the tests.^[69]

Kahuta Research Laboratories equally presented their point of views, and approached for the permission from the Prime minister.^[69] The meeting concluded without any resolution of the two agenda points. On 16 May, senior scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan had briefed the prime minister on key weapon-grade explosives issues and also briefed on the latest situation on Pakistan's different weapon-testing laboratories at that time.^[68] On the morning of 17 May 1998, Sharif summoned Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad and asked him for his opinion on two points discussed on 15 May.^[69] Ahmed told the prime minister that the decision to test or not to test was that of the government of Pakistan.^[69] Dr. Ahmad also acknowledged that PAEC was ready for the capability of carrying out the tests.^[69] Sharif then concluded that eyes of the world were focused on Pakistan and failure to conduct the tests would put the credibility of the Pakistan's nuclear deterrence programme in doubt.^[69] Dr. Ahmad then said, "Conducting a nuclear test is a highly political decision, and no matter the wish of scientific community may be, the political leadership of the country will have its say.... Mr. Prime Minister, take a [decision], then I give you the [g]uarantee of success."^[69] Initially, the Prime minister waited to see the world reaction on India's nuclear tests, while observing the embargo placed on Indian economy, which had no placed no effects.^[70] Prime minister Sharif, at first, was hesitant towards the nuclear test program and its economical turn out if the tests are ordered.^[70] Few days after the Indian tests, Indian Home Minister Lal Kishanchand Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes issued foolish taunts and threatening statements towards Pakistan, which angered the prime minister.^[70]

On 18 May, Prime minister Sharif ordered PAEC to make preparation for the tests, but remain on stand-by for the final decision.

No. 6 Squadron Globe Trotters were put on high-alert to provide the necessary support to the PAEC in this regard.^[65] On 21 May, Sharif issued orders to conduct nuclear tests as a suitable reply to India, and authorised the nuclear weapon testing program the same day.^[70] A Boeing-737 airline from Pakistan International Airlines was readily made available for PAEC scientists, engineers, and technicians to Balochistan.^[69]

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and scientists and engineers from KRL were also told to be stay alert and were also sent to Balochistan along with PAEC.

ISI spotted camouflage F-16s were spotted conducting exercises; the ISI quickly got the word that the Israeli fighters, flying on behalf of India were inbound to take out Pakistan's nuclear facilities.^[71] When Sharif heard the news, he angrily ordered PAF to be scrambled and rolled its nuclear bombs out of their shelters in preparation to launch. But on the night of 27 May, the United States and other nations assured Nawaz Sharif that "Pakistan was safe, the Israeli attack never materialized", according to political scientist dr. Shafik H. Hashmi.^[71]

Finally, Pakistan carried out its successful nuclear tests on 28 May 1998 (codename Chagai-I), and on 30 May 1998 (codename Chagai-II), in response to the Indian detonation of six nuclear devices roughly two weeks before.[65]^[69] After these test, the Prime minister appeared on Pakistan Television Corporation and took the nation on confidence and addressed the world:

If [Pakistan] had wanted, she (Pakistan) would have conducted nuclear tests 15–20 years ago.... but the abject poverty of the people of the

PTV, ^[72]

After weeks of anticipation, Pakistan surprised the world by conducting its own nuclear tests.^[69] Sharif's popularity in Pakistan increased. While he was being hailed as nationalist, Sharif proclaimed an emergency on the same day as these nuclear tests were conducted, which dismayed the public. All foreign currency accounts in Pakistani banks were frozen to minimise the effects of economic sanctions. This was detrimental to the account holders.

He put the Pakistan Armed Forces on high alert to defend country's nuclear installations. He justified the tests on national security grounds, as they demonstrated Pakistan's nuclear deterrent capabilities against an armed

Today, we have

nuclear tests"

— Prime minister Nawaz Sharif announcing the tests on 30 May 1998, ^[65]

The nuclear tests remained highly popular in Pakistan which many in Pakistan saw as dignified status for the Pakistan in the world community. Despite disagreement with Sharif, his rivals and opposition parties backed Sharif and congratulated him for his "bold decision".[72]

Sharif was awarded an

Sharif strengthened relations with the Muslim world, Turkey, and Europe.^[76] The year he was elected, Sharif made a state visit to Malaysia and Singapore where Sharif signed economic and free trade agreements with both countries.^[76] It was a trilateral trade bloc in South Asia and premiers of Singapore, Malaysia, and Pakistan had successfully signed the agreement.^[76] Following the agreement, the work on comprehensive framework to enhance collaboration in defence, economic and private sector was launched and completed in 1998.^[76] One of the core issues was Malaysia's agreement on sharing its space technology to Pakistan.^[76] Both Malaysia and Singapore assured their support for Pakistan to join Asia–Europe Meeting.^[76] However, it was not until 2008, Pakistan and India became part of the treaty.^[76]

In January 1998, Prime Minister Sharif paid a state visit to South Korea, where he successfully signed bilateral and economical agreements with South Korean President Kim Young-sam.^[76] Sharif also urged North Korea to make peace and improve its ties with South Korea; his statement caused a diversion in Pakistan–North Korea relations.^[76] In April 1998, Sharif went on to visit Italy, Germany, Poland, and Belgium to promote economic ties.^[76] He said in Brussels at an official reception, "We [Pakistan] [s]eek understanding and cooperation with Europe".^[76] He signed a number of agreements to enlarge economic co-operation with Italy and Belgium, besides an agreement with European Union (EU) for the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights.^[76] In February 1997, the prime minister had meeting with Jiang Zemin, the Chinese president and Li Peng, the Premier, for economic co-operation.^[76] Two conferences were specially organised in Beijing and Hong Kong to promote Chinese investment in Pakistan.^[76]

However, Sharif's effort seemed to be wasted when Sharif ordered the nuclear tests in 1998. Following those tests, the foreign policy of Pakistan was much in trouble position since its

Constitutional amendment

In late August 1998, he proposed a law to establish a legal system based on the Islamic principles.

Issues with judiciary

During his second term, Sharif mounted problems with the Supreme Court— an apex judicial authority. Sharif's Fourteenth Amendment had prohibited legislators and lawmakers from dissenting or voting against their own parties.^[86] The XIV Amendment also contained the clause that the offending legislators could not seek relief through Judiciary, and the right of appeal was provoked by the XVI Amendment.^[86] When legislators of different parties took the case Supreme Court, Sharif was furious and frustrated with the actions of the Supreme Court.^[86] Sharif openly criticised Chief Justice Sajad Alishah, inviting a notice of contempt.^[86] After the military and the president reached to Sharif to avoid a constitution crises, Sharif agreed the solve the issue amicably, but was determined to out Chief Justice Sajad Alishah.^[86]

Sharif manipulated the ranks of senior judges, deposing two judges close to Chief Justice.

Chief Justice Sajad Ali Shah, however, continued to assert his authority and persisted in hearing Sharif's case.[86] On 30 November 1997, while the hearing was in progress, Sharif's cabinet ministers and a large number of his supporters entered the Supreme Court building, disrupting the proceedings.^[86] The chief justice asked the military to send the military police, and subsequently struck down the Thirteenth (XIII) Amendment thereby restoring the power of the president.^[86] But, this move backed fired on the chief justice when the military backed the prime minister and refused to obey the president's orders to remove Sharif.^[86] The prime minister forced President Farooq Leghari to resign, and appointed Wasim Sajjad as acting president.^[86] After the president's removal, Sharif ousted Chief Justice Sajad Ali Shah to end the constitutional crisis once and for all.^[86]

2006 formal apology

On 29 November 2006, Nawaz Sharif and the member of his party issued a public apology to former Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and the former president Farooq Leghari for their actions.^[87] His party's member paid a farewell visit to the residence of Chief Justice Ali Shah where they presented a written apology to him; later in Parliament, his party issued white paper formally apologising for their wrongdoing in 1997.^[88]

Policy on anti-terrorism

During Benazir Bhutto's period, the country suffered the

From the 1981 until the military coup against him in 1999, Sharif enjoyed a strong and extremely friendly and cordial relations with the Pakistan Armed Forces – the only civilian leader to have cordial friendship and relationships with the military's establishment at that time.^[24] Sharif pressed his tough rhetoric actions and repeatedly violates the constitution as well as the military code of conduct.

He later had severe political confrontation with in 1999 when he tried to replace General Musharraf with generals loyal to him that resulted in a

In a democratic society, would a Chief of Army Staff and chairman Joint Chiefs talk about the Government like that? What happened to

waste much time. Pakistan is finally becoming a normal democratic society.

— Mushahid Hussain, Media Minister in Nawaz Government, ^[90]

Political scientist Dr. Samina Ahmed of Defence and Strategic Studies Department noted that since his re-elect in 1997 and success of passing the constitutional amendments, Prime minister Sharif began to abuse his powers since then.^[90] She later quoted that:

During his time, Sharif was a very powerful prime minister.... since the country's independence. Power is tangible when you can exercise it. In Pakistan, the (Nawaz) Government doesn't seem capable of exercising it.

— Samina Ahmed, ^[90]

The relieve of General Karamat was a heated issue discussed even by his senior government ministers.

It came to the conclusion that in relieving General Jehangir Karamat, Prime minister Sharif had committed a "blunder". He also failed to recognize that despite his heavy mandate, it was not advisable for him to dismiss two army chiefs in less than a year. In doing so he had overplayed his hands and effectively derailed the democratic process for nine long years...

— Sartaj Aziz, 2009, [91]

However, after being persuaded by his younger brother and then (also as of current)

The year of 1999 brought a tremendous political upheavals and dramatic changes in Pakistan as well as for the Prime minister.[24] Confrontation with military began sometime in 1999, starting first with Admiral Fasih Bokhari, when Admiral Bokhari lodged a powerful protest against the Kargil debacle and called for court-martial of Pervez Musharraf in private television channels.^[88][94]

During the

Sharif's part-time taking control of stock exchange markets had devastating effects on Pakistan's economy, a move he instigated after the tests to control the economy.[96] Sharif's policies were widely disapproved by the people and at the mid of 1999, and Sharif's own popularity was mixed with few approved his policies.^[96]

In August 1999 two

The simultaneous of conflicts in

The prosecution accused Sharif of evading federal tax on the purchase of a helicopter worth US$1 million. Sharif denied this allegation. The Lahore High Court agreed to acquit him of this charge conditional on whether he was able to present evidence that proved his innocence. Sharif failed to cite any substantial evidence. The Lahore High Court ordered Sharif to pay a fine of US$400,000 on grounds of tax evasion, and he was sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment.^[108]

Return to Pakistan

Failed attempt in Islamabad

On 23 August 2007, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother,

On 10 September 2007, Sharif returned from exile in London[113] to Islamabad. He was prevented from leaving the plane and he was deported to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia within hours.^[114] His political career appeared to be over.^[61]

Successful return in Lahore

On 20 November 2007, Musharraf went to Saudi Arabia as he left the country for the first time since implementing emergency rule.^[115] He attempted to convince Saudi Arabia to prevent Sharif from returning until after the elections in January 2008.^[115] The political role of Sharif returned to the fore after Benazir Bhutto's return a month earlier.^[115] Saudi Arabia appeared to argue that if Pakistan has allowed a democratic-socialist woman leader, Benazir Bhutto, to return to the country, then the conservative Sharif should be permitted to return too.^[115]

On 25 November 2007, Sharif returned to Pakistan. Thousands of supporters whistled and cheered as they hoisted Sharif and his brother on their shoulders through ranks of wary riot police officers.^[116] After an 11-hour procession from the airport, he reached a mosque where he offered prayers as well as criticism against Musharraf.^[117] His return to Pakistan came with only one day left to register for elections. This set the stage for an overnight shift of the political scene.^[116]

2008 General elections

Sharif called for the boycott of the January 2008 elections because he believed the poll would not be fair, given a state of emergency imposed by Musharraf. Sharif and the PML (N) decided to participate in the parliamentary elections after 33 opposition groups, including Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, met in Lahore but failed to reach a joint position.[118] For the elections, he campaigned for the restoration of the independent judges removed by emergency government decree and Musharraf's departure.^[119][120]

Bhutto's assassination led to the postponement of the elections to 18 February 2008.^[121] During the elections, both parties, but the Pakistan Peoples Party in particular, rely on a mix of feudal relationships and regional sentiment for their voting bases – the Bhuttos in Sindh, Nawaz Sharif in the Punjab.^[121] Sharif condemned Bhutto's assassination and called it the "gloomiest day in Pakistan's history".^[122]

Between Bhutto's assassination and the elections, the country faced a rise in attacks by militants.^[123] Sharif accused Musharraf of ordering anti-terror operations that have left the country "drowned in blood."^[123] Pakistan's government urged opposition leaders to refrain from holding rallies ahead of the elections, citing an escalating terrorist threat.^[123] Sharif's party quickly rejected the recommendation, accusing officials of trying block the campaign against Musharraf since large rallies have traditionally been the main way to drum up support in election campaigns.^[123]

On 25 January, Musharraf initiated a failed four-day visit to London to use British mediation in Pakistani politics to reconcile with the Sharif brothers.^[124] Zardari's Pakistan People's Party, boosted by the death of Benazir Bhutto, and Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N dominated the elections. PPP received 86 seats for the 342-seat National Assembly; the PML-N, 66; and the PML-Q, which backs president Pervez Musharraf, 40.^[125] Zardari and Sharif would later create a coalition government that ousted Musharraf.

In opposition (2008–2013)

His party had joined a coalition led by PPP but the alliance had been strained by differences over the fate of judges Musharraf dismissed last year and over how to handle the unpopular president.

In the June 2008 by-elections, Sharif's party won 91 National Assembly seats and 180 provincial assembly seats in the Punjab.[128] The Lahore seat election was postponed because of wrangling over whether Sharif was eligible to contest.^[126][129]

Musharraf impeachment

On 7 August 2008, the coalition government agreed to impeach Musharraf. Zardari and Sharif sent a formal request for him to step down. A charge-sheet had been drafted, and was to be presented to parliament.^[130] It included Mr Musharraf's first seizure of power in 1999—at the expense of Nawaz Sharif, the PML(N)'s leader, whom Mr Musharraf imprisoned and exiled—and his second last November, when he declared an emergency as a means to get re-elected president.^[131] The charge-sheet also listed some of Mr Musharraf's contributions to the "war on terror".^[131]

On 11 August, the National Assembly was summoned to discuss impeachment proceedings.^[132] On 18 August 2008, Musharraf resigned as President of Pakistan due to mounting political pressure from the impeachment proceedings. On 19 August 2008, Musharraf defended his nine-year rule in an hour-long speech.^[133]

Nawaz Sharif claimed that former dictator Pervez Musharraf are responsible for the current crisis the nation is facing now. "Musharraf pushed the country's economy 20 years back after imposing martial law in the country and ousting the democratic government," he said.^[134]

Lawyers movement

Sharif and Zardari supported the reinstatement of judges suspended by Musharraf in March 2007. Musharraf had dismissed 60 judges under the state of emergency and Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in a failed bid to remain in power.^[131] Sharif had championed the cause of the judges since their dismissal.^[44] The new government that succeeded Musharraf which had campaigned on reinstatement had failed to restore the judges . This led to a collapse of the coalition government in late 2008 due to Zardari's erstwhile refusal to reinstate the sacked judge.^[44] Zardari feared that Chaudhry would undo all edicts instated by Musharraf including an amnesty that he had received from corruption charges.^[44]

On 25 February 2009, the Supreme Court disqualified Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of the Punjab, from holding public office. Zardari then dismissed the provincial legislature and declared president's Rule in the Punjab.^[44] Lawyers and citizen's groups in Pakistan, civil activists, and a coalition of political parties were planning to take to the streets in a protest march that started on 13 March 2009.^[135] Zardari attempted to place Sharif under house arrest on 15 March 2009,^[44] but provincial police disappeared the same day from his house after an angry crowd gathered outside. The Punjab Police decision to free Sharif from confinement was very likely in response to an army command.^[44] Sharif, with a large contingent of SUVs, began leading a march to Islamabad but ended the march in Gujranwala.^[44] In a televised morning speech on 16 March 2009, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani promised to reinstate Iftikhar Chaudhry after pressure from Pakistan's army, American and British envoys, and internal protests. PPP also made a secret agreement to restore the PML(N) government in the Punjab. Sharif then called off the "long march".^[44] The PPP-led government continued to survive. A Senior PML(N) leader had said "95% of the members of the PML(N) were against becoming part of the lawyers' movement, but after the SC verdict, the PML(N) had no other choice but to opt to support this movement. "^[136]

Removal of bar on third term

On 2 April 2010, the 18th Amendment Bill in the Parliament removed the bar on former prime ministers to stand for only two terms in office. This allows Sharif to become prime minister for a third time.^[137]

2013 Pakistan general election

Khan–Sharif rivalry

Between 2011 and 2013, Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif began to engage each other in a bitter feud. The rivalry between the two leaders grew in late 2011 when Imran Khan addressed his largest crowd at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore. The two began to blame each other for many political reasons.^[139]

From 26 April 2013, in the run up to the elections, both the

On 19 May 2013, it was reported that Nawaz Sharif had secured a majority in Pakistan's national assembly after 18 independent candidates joined the party, allowing it to form government in the National Assembly without striking an alliance with any other party. The minimum needed was 13 independent candidates, but Sharif had managed to make an alliance with 5 more candidates, giving the PML-N a coalition government of 142 seats.[6] After the coalition was announced, Nawaz Sharif stated that he wanted to take his oath as Prime Minister on 28 May, the 15th anniversary of when he ordered Pakistan's first nuclear tests in 1998.^[149]

On 27 June 2014, PTI's chairman Imran Khan announced that they would go for a long march—naming it "Azadi March"—from 14 August against the government alleging that the 2013 elections were rigged. Khan claimed that he will gather more than million people in the march.^[150] On 6 August 2014, Khan demanded the government to dissolve the assemblies, election commission and resigntion of the Prime minister, and claim that this would be the "biggest political protest in the history of the country."^[151] PTI started their march from Lahore on 14 August and they reached to Islamabad on 16 August.^[152] The PTI's lawmakers announced their resignation from the National Assembly, and the Punjab and Sindh assemblies.^[153] However government leaders were trying to negotiate a settlement with Khan and his party's backers to break what had become a political deadlock.^[154]

Third term as Prime Minister (2013–2017)