Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, born on December 25, 1949, is one of Pakistan’s most significant political figures, serving as the Prime Minister of Pakistan three times (1990–1993, 1997–1999, and 2013–2017). His political career, spanning over four decades, has seen dramatic highs and lows, with his leadership shaping Pakistan’s political, economic, and international landscape. His journey is marked by his close ties to Pakistan’s military establishment early on, growing political influence through the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), infrastructural development, economic reform initiatives, and confrontations with powerful institutions such as the judiciary and the military.
This essay explores Nawaz Sharif’s political career, family background, his economic and foreign policy initiatives, his fall from power, legal battles, and his enduring influence on Pakistani politics.
1. Early Life and Family Background
Nawaz Sharif was born into a wealthy, business-oriented family in Lahore, Pakistan. His father, Muhammad Sharif, was an industrialist and founded the Ittefaq Group, a steel conglomerate. The Sharif family is known for their strong business acumen, which provided them with financial stability and influence in Pakistan’s industrial sector. Growing up, Nawaz Sharif was educated at Saint Anthony’s High School in Lahore and later attended Government College University, where he completed his degree in business administration.
His entry into politics was facilitated by General Zia-ul-Haq’s military regime in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Sharif family’s alignment with Zia’s government provided Nawaz Sharif with the platform to enter politics through the establishment of industrial and economic policies that benefited his family’s business interests. Zia, in turn, needed a strong political face to counter the popular Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
2. Entry into Politics and Rise to Prominence
Nawaz Sharif’s political journey began in 1981 when he was appointed as the Finance Minister of Punjab. Under the military rule of General Zia-ul-Haq, Sharif quickly rose through the political ranks due to his administrative skills and the influence of his family’s business empire. He was later appointed Chief Minister of Punjab in 1985 after winning the provincial assembly election under the non-party-based system introduced by Zia. During his tenure as Chief Minister, Nawaz Sharif initiated significant infrastructural projects, including road construction and development schemes that solidified his reputation as an effective administrator.
Following General Zia’s death in 1988, Pakistan’s political landscape shifted, and Benazir Bhutto, daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, became the Prime Minister after her party, the PPP, won the general elections. However, Nawaz Sharif continued to consolidate power in Punjab, leading the newly formed Pakistan Muslim League (PML), which later became the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to differentiate it from other factions of the PML.
3. First Term as Prime Minister (1990-1993)
Nawaz Sharif’s first term as Prime Minister began in 1990 after the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto’s government by then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. The dismissal was justified by allegations of corruption, and in the subsequent elections, Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N secured a majority.
As Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif focused heavily on economic reforms. He embarked on a program of deregulation, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and trade liberalization. His policies were aimed at fostering private-sector growth and reducing the role of government in business. One of his most significant initiatives was the privatization of Pakistan’s major industries, including banking, steel, and telecommunications. His government also launched massive infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the M2 Motorway, which linked Lahore to Islamabad and represented his vision for modernizing Pakistan’s transportation network.
However, his relationship with the military and the presidency deteriorated as he sought to assert civilian control over the military establishment. This conflict culminated in a confrontation with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, which ultimately led to both Sharif and the President resigning in 1993 after the military intervened to mediate the crisis.
4. Second Term as Prime Minister (1997-1999)
Nawaz Sharif’s second term as Prime Minister began in 1997 after his party won a landslide victory in the general elections. During this period, Sharif sought to strengthen the executive branch and consolidate power by amending the constitution. He passed the 13th Amendment, which removed the President’s power to dismiss the government, and the 14th Amendment, which restricted members of parliament from voting against their party.
His second term is most remembered for two significant events: the nuclear tests of 1998 and his subsequent removal from power by a military coup.
The Nuclear Tests of 1998
In May 1998, under Sharif’s leadership, Pakistan conducted five nuclear tests in response to India’s nuclear tests earlier that month. The tests made Pakistan the first Islamic country to possess nuclear weapons and significantly boosted Sharif’s popularity domestically. However, the tests also led to international sanctions and economic isolation. Sharif’s decision was seen as a display of national pride and defense, although it came at a high economic cost, with sanctions leading to a decline in foreign investment and pressure on Pakistan’s already fragile economy.
Confrontation with the Military and Coup
Despite his efforts to strengthen the civilian government, Nawaz Sharif’s second term ended in a dramatic confrontation with the military. His relationship with the military, particularly with Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf, deteriorated over the handling of the Kargil conflict with India in 1999. The military operation in Kargil, which Sharif claimed was unauthorized, led to tensions between the civilian government and the military leadership.
In October 1999, Sharif attempted to dismiss General Musharraf as Army Chief while he was returning from a visit abroad. The military, in response, launched a coup, overthrowing Sharif’s government. He was arrested, tried, and sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of hijacking and terrorism. However, under pressure from Saudi Arabia, Sharif was exiled to the kingdom, where he lived for several years.
5. Exile and Return to Politics
Nawaz Sharif spent nearly seven years in exile in Saudi Arabia. During this time, he remained active in Pakistani politics through his party, PML-N, although the political landscape in Pakistan had changed with General Musharraf’s rule and the rise of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) under Benazir Bhutto.
In 2007, amid growing political opposition to Musharraf’s rule, Sharif returned to Pakistan. His return coincided with a national movement for the restoration of the judiciary, led by lawyers and civil society groups, which demanded the reinstatement of judges who had been dismissed by Musharraf. Sharif aligned himself with this movement, using it as a platform to rebuild his political career.
The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in 2007 further altered the political scene, and in the general elections of 2008, the PML-N emerged as the second-largest party, behind the PPP. Sharif, now in opposition, continued to advocate for democratic governance and civilian supremacy.
6. Third Term as Prime Minister (2013-2017)
In the 2013 general elections, Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N won a decisive victory, and he was elected Prime Minister for the third time. His third term is characterized by a focus on economic development, infrastructure projects, and attempts to stabilize relations with neighboring countries, particularly India and Afghanistan.
Economic Policies and Infrastructure Development
Sharif’s government prioritized economic growth and infrastructure development. One of his signature initiatives was the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a massive infrastructure project aimed at connecting Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Balochistan province to China’s Xinjiang region through a network of highways, railways, and pipelines. CPEC promised to bring significant foreign investment into Pakistan and was hailed as a “game-changer” for the country’s economy.
In addition to CPEC, Sharif’s government focused on energy projects to address Pakistan’s chronic power shortages. His administration initiated several energy projects, including coal, hydroelectric, and LNG plants, to alleviate the energy crisis that had plagued the country for years.
Foreign Policy and Relations with India
Sharif’s third term also saw efforts to improve relations with India. He extended an olive branch to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by attending his inauguration in 2014, signaling a desire for peaceful relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. However, tensions between Pakistan and India continued to simmer, particularly over the Kashmir issue, and relations deteriorated after incidents such as the Uri attack in 2016, which India blamed on Pakistani-based militants.
Panama Papers and Legal Troubles
The defining moment of Sharif’s third term, however, came in 2016 when the Panama Papers leak revealed that his family owned offshore companies and luxury apartments in London. This revelation led to widespread public outrage and calls for accountability. Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), spearheaded a campaign against Sharif, demanding his resignation.
In 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding public office after an investigation into the Panama Papers allegations found discrepancies in his family’s wealth. Sharif was forced to step down as Prime Minister, marking the third time he had been removed from office before completing his term.