A cool-minded, soft spoken and soft hearted person from Lahore entered in Politics about 20 years ago and now he considered as most beloved, recognized and influential Pakistani leader.
Nawaz Sharif was born on 25 December 1949 in Lahore. His family was a famous industrial family in Kashmir and migrated in 1947 to Pakistan. Sharif’s father Muhammad Sharif later found ittefaq group of industries.
Nawaz sharif got his early education from St, Anthony school and got his law degree from Punjab university. After completing his education Nawaz Sharif entered politics on local level. Nawaz sharif became finance minister of Punjab in 1981. Nawaz sharif has a great passion for cricket also He played a first class match in 1973-74 season for railways. Nawaz sharif also represented Pakistan in a side-match against West Indies. He regularly played cricket on Sundays during his last term as Prime minister.
Nawaz sharif was elected chief minister of Punjab on April 9,1985.It was the time of a military dictator General zia-ul-haq. Nawaz sharif was again elected chief minister of punjab in elections following Zia death in plane crash. It was the time when Benazir was PM and Nawaz sharif was Chief minister of punjab. Nawaz sharif was then considered a man of establishment and General Zia used to call Nawaz sharif his son.
After the overthrow of Benazir government by Ghulam Ishaq khan, Nawaz sharif became the Prime minister of Pakistan on 1st Nov1990 as a result of new elections in the country. Nawaz sharif stated clearly in his inaugurating address that he wouldn’t take dictation from any one not even army. His term was thus interrupted on Aril 18,1993 when President Ghulam Ishaq using his discretionary powers dissolved the national assembly and appointed Mir Balakh sher mizari as caretaker Prime Minister. Within six weeks Nawaz sharif’s government was restored due to overruling by Supreme Court. Due to severe differences between Nawaz sharif and then President, it was decided that President and Prime minister would both resign simultaneously. Nawaz sharif resigned from office on 18 July 1993, along with President.
Nawaz sharif returned to power in 1997 with overwhelming majority by getting two-third seats in National Assembly. The election results were devastating for opposition parties with 90 percent seats for single party. Such heavy mandate for Nawaz sharif party was a vote on Nawaz sharif popularity by the public of Pakistan. Nawaz sharif vision was very clear towards the amendments of constitution and first of all by passing 13th amendment Nawaz sharif vowed to make Prime minister strong so that no President can dissolve an elected Assembly. 14th amendment imposed strict party discipline on members of parliament and barricading flour crossing forever.
On the development forum, Nawaz sharif completed South Asia’s longest motorway of 367km linking Lahore and Islamabad. Nawaz sharif inaugrated motorway months after he became PM for second term.
Nawaz sharif was at the peak of his popularity when he carried out nuclear tests on 28May 1998 in response to Indian nuclear explosions. Nawaz sharif encountered severe foreign pressure especially from U.S.A, but he acted upon the will of his Nation.
Nawaz Sharif had not good relations with army during his two terms as Prime Minister. In 1996 Jahangir Karamat was appointed chief of army staff. However, differences between Nawaz sharif with General Jahangir Karamat on the issue of National Security Council resulted in resignation of General Jahangir karamat.
In Oct 1998, Nawaz Sharif appointed General Pervaiz Musharraf as chief of army staff. It was a decision that later changed the history of Pakistan and resulted in military coup on october12, 1999.
Nawaz Sharif role for normalization of relations with India will always be remembered especially the Lahore declaration in 1999 was a highlight of Nawaz sharif diplomatic success. Although that was shadowed soon by kargil outbreak. Nawaz claim army under Pervaiz Musharraf kept him unaware from whole situation, which resulted in so much chaos and as a result of foreign pressure Nawaz sharif withdraw its forces from Kargil.
On a hazy dusk Oct 12, 1999, chief of army staff Pervaiz Musharraf overthrow a civilian elected government and imposed martial law on a country, which has long history of martial law and military regimes. Nawaz sharif was saved from life in prison or may be a repeat of Bhutto murder, by Saudi king own interruption, and thus ten years of exile.
Nawaz sharif tried to return to his native country on sep 10, 2007 but again deported to Jeddah. Nawaz sharif discussed this matter with Saudi king and on the request of Nawaz sharif Saudi king agree to Nawaz sharif’s demand of going back to his country, thus, Nawaz sharif returned with his whole family on nov 25, 2007 in Lahore.
Nawaz sharif campaigned successfully with his one time fierce rival Benazir Bhutto but after the unfortunate assassination of Benazir on dec27 2007, sharif joined hands together with Asif Zardari and after feb, 18 2008 elections Asif zardari and Nawaz sharif formed a joint coalition government. PML-N gained great majority in Punjab province and also emerged as second largest party in National Assembly.
Nawaz Sharif and PML-N played a very vital role in Pakistani political history, they always fight for Pakistan and for Pakistani Nation, They have fight a long battle for Pakistan and hopefully they help Pakistanis to bring prosperity and economic change in Pakistan.