Nawaz Sharif is a prominent Pakistani politician

Nawaz Sharif is a prominent Pakistani politician, businessman, and three-time former Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is a key figure in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), one of Pakistan's major political parties. Sharif's political career spans over four decades, during which he has been both celebrated and criticized for his leadership and governance. His career has also been marked by numerous legal and political challenges, including multiple periods of exile and imprisonment.

1. Early Life and Family Background

  • Full Name: Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
  • Birth: Born on December 25, 1949, in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, into a wealthy business family.
  • Family: Nawaz comes from the influential Sharif family, which owns Ittefaq Group, a large conglomerate in Pakistan with interests in steel, sugar, and textiles.
  • Education: He attended Saint Anthony High School in Lahore and graduated from Government College University in Lahore. He later obtained a degree in law from Punjab University.

2. Political Beginnings

  • Early Involvement: Nawaz Sharif’s political career began in the late 1970s under the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq, who appointed him as the Finance Minister of Punjab in 1981.
  • Chief Minister of Punjab: In 1985, Sharif became the Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province. His tenure was marked by infrastructure development and economic initiatives aimed at improving Punjab's economy.

3. First Term as Prime Minister (1990–1993)

  • Election Victory: In 1990, Nawaz Sharif became the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the first time after winning the general elections through his party, PML-N.
  • Economic Focus: His first term emphasized economic liberalization, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and infrastructure development, such as building highways and improving communication networks.
  • Dismissal: His first term ended abruptly when then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed his government in 1993, citing corruption and governance issues. Although the dismissal was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, Sharif chose to resign as part of a compromise to avoid further political instability.

4. Second Term as Prime Minister (1997–1999)

  • Re-election: Sharif returned to power in 1997 with a decisive electoral victory, securing a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.
  • Major Achievements:
    • Nuclear Tests: In response to India’s nuclear tests, Nawaz Sharif ordered Pakistan’s first successful nuclear tests in May 1998, making Pakistan the world's seventh nuclear power.
    • Economic Reforms: His government continued efforts to privatize industries, boost exports, and strengthen Pakistan’s economy. However, he faced challenges such as the 1998 economic sanctions imposed after the nuclear tests.
  • Conflict with the Military: Sharif’s second term was marked by increasing tensions with the military, particularly over his handling of the Kargil War with India in 1999, and his decision to remove General Pervez Musharraf as the army chief.
  • Military Coup: In October 1999, Sharif attempted to dismiss Musharraf while he was abroad. In response, Musharraf launched a military coup, overthrowing Sharif’s government. Nawaz Sharif was arrested and later went into exile in Saudi Arabia under a deal brokered by Saudi Arabia.

5. Exile and Political Return

  • Exile in Saudi Arabia: After the 1999 coup, Sharif lived in exile in Saudi Arabia for nearly eight years. During this time, he was barred from participating in Pakistani politics, but he maintained influence through his party, PML-N.
  • Return to Pakistan: In 2007, Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan following a deal brokered by Saudi Arabia and international pressures on Musharraf’s government. His return marked the beginning of his political resurgence.

6. Third Term as Prime Minister (2013–2017)

  • Election Victory: In the 2013 General Elections, PML-N won a significant majority, and Nawaz Sharif was elected as Prime Minister for the third time.
  • Key Policies and Initiatives:
    • Economic Growth: Sharif focused on infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, bridges, and power projects to address Pakistan’s energy crisis.
    • China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): One of his major achievements was the establishment of the CPEC, a multi-billion dollar infrastructure project aimed at improving economic ties between Pakistan and China.
    • Tackling Terrorism: His government launched military operations like Zarb-e-Azb against terrorism, which significantly reduced militant activities in the country.
    • Thaw with India: Sharif attempted to improve relations with India, particularly through diplomatic engagement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, though tensions remained high.
  • Panama Papers Scandal: In 2016, the Panama Papers leak revealed that Nawaz Sharif’s family owned luxury apartments in London through offshore companies. This led to widespread allegations of corruption.

7. Disqualification and Legal Troubles

  • Supreme Court Ruling: In 2017, following an investigation into the Panama Papers revelations, the Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding public office, citing corruption charges. His removal led to significant political turmoil in Pakistan.
  • Legal Convictions: Sharif was convicted in 2018 in the Avenfield properties case and sentenced to ten years in prison, along with his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, who was also sentenced for her involvement in the case. He was later granted bail due to health issues and allowed to travel to London for medical treatment.

8. Exile in London and Political Influence

  • Exile in London: After receiving permission to leave Pakistan for medical treatment, Nawaz Sharif settled in London. He remains in self-imposed exile, as he faces multiple legal cases in Pakistan.
  • Role in Pakistani Politics: Despite his absence from the country, Nawaz Sharif continues to wield significant influence in Pakistani politics through his daughter, Maryam Nawaz, and other family members. He is often seen as the driving force behind the PML-N party’s strategies and opposition to the government of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

9. Challenges and Criticism

  • Corruption Allegations: Throughout his career, Nawaz Sharif has faced numerous accusations of corruption, including his family’s alleged misuse of public office for personal gain. His critics often point to his accumulation of wealth and the Panama Papers case as evidence of corruption.
  • Dynastic Politics: Nawaz Sharif has been criticized for promoting dynastic politics, with key political roles being handed down within the Sharif family. His daughter, Maryam Nawaz, and his younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, have taken leadership roles within the PML-N.
  • Military Relations: Sharif’s political career has been marked by strained relations with the Pakistani military, particularly during his second and third terms as Prime Minister. His attempts to assert civilian control over the military have often led to conflict, including his ouster in 1999.

10. Legacy

  • Economic Development: Nawaz Sharif’s political legacy is closely tied to his focus on economic development and infrastructure projects. He is credited with initiating large-scale infrastructure projects like the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway and promoting energy projects during his third term to address Pakistan's chronic power shortages.
  • Nuclear Program: Sharif is often remembered for making Pakistan a nuclear power by ordering the 1998 nuclear tests in response to India, a move that has had a lasting impact on Pakistan's defense capabilities and international standing.
  • Controversial Leadership: While Sharif's supporters view him as a pro-business leader who strengthened Pakistan’s economy, his critics focus on his legal troubles, corruption allegations, and inability to complete any of his three terms as Prime Minister due to political and legal challenges.

11. Recent Developments

  • Health and Legal Battles: Nawaz Sharif continues to face health issues, and his return to Pakistan is uncertain, as he faces arrest if he returns without settling his legal cases.
  • PML-N Leadership: His younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2022-2023, and Maryam Nawaz is being groomed as the political successor to Nawaz’s legacy.

In summary, Nawaz Sharif is one of the most influential and controversial figures in Pakistani politics. His political career has seen moments of triumph and adversity, marked by significant achievements in infrastructure development and economic reforms, as well as challenges related to corruption allegations, military coups, and legal battles. Despite his legal troubles, Sharif remains a central figure in Pakistan's political landscape through his family and the PML-N party.

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