Multan مُلتان
—  City District  —
Clockwise from top: Multan Fort, Rukn-e-Alam, Shahi Eid Ghah Mosque, Multan Arts Council, Multan Clock Tower and State Bank of Pakistan
Nickname(s): The City of Sufis, The City of Saints, The City of Tombs,Madinah-Tul-Oleyah
Multan Location in Pakistan
Coordinates: 30°11′52″N 71°28′11″E / 30.19778°N 71.46972°E / 30.19778; 71.46972Coordinates: 30°11′52″N 71°28′11″E / 30.19778°N 71.46972°E / 30.19778; 71.46972
Country	Pakistan
Region	Punjab
District	Multan District
Autonomous towns	6
Union councils	4
Government[1][2]
• Nazim	---------------
• Naib nazim
Area
• Total	3,721 km2 (1,437 sq mi)
Elevation	122 m (400 ft)
Population (2010)[citation needed]
• Total	5,006,481
Time zone	PST (UTC+5)
Area code(s)	061
Website	www.multan.gov.pk

Multan (Saraiki, Punjabi, Urdu: : مُلتان  pronunciation (help·info)), is a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan.According to area its 3rd largest city of Pakistan,but according to population its on 5th number. It is located in the southern part of the province on the east bank of the Chenab River, more or less in the geographic centre of the country and about 562 km (349 mi) from Islamabad, 356 km (221 mi) from Lahore and 966 km (600 mi) from Karachi. Multan District has a population of 3.1 million (1998).^[3]

Multan is known as the City of Sufis or City of Saints and Madinah-Tul-Awleyah due to the large number of shrines and Sufi saints from the city. According to area its 3rd largest city of Pakistan,but according to population its on 3rd number. The city is full of bazaars, mosques, shrines and ornate tombs. Multan is also the birthplace of Fariduddin Ganjshakar popularly known as Baba Farid who is considered a father of Punjabi language and one of the pioneers in developing Shahmukhī script of Punjabi language which was later adopted by almost all Muslim saints and intellectuals in Punjab region and even in whole of India. Celebrated sufi saint of Punjab and North India Khwaja Ghulam Farid also adopted Shahmukhī script of Punjabi language to convey his teachings.Multan is located in a bend created by five rivers of central Pakistan. The Sutlej River separates it from Bahawalpur and the Chenab River from Muzaffar Garh. The city has grown to become an influential political and economical center for the country, with a dry port and excellent transport links. Multan is famous for its crops: wheat, cotton and sugar cane as well as mangoes, citrus, guavas and pomegranates.

History[link]

The Multan Clock Tower

A historic cannon in Multan Fort

Multan is one of the oldest cities not only in the Asian subcontinent but also in the world.^{[citation needed]}According to Hindu legends, it was the capital of the Trigarta Kingdom at the time of the Mahabharata war, ruled by the Katoch Dynasty. Multan has had various names over the years. According to Hindu mythology, it was originally called Kashtpur (Kashyapapura) after a Hindu sage named Kashyapa, which is also the Gotra used by the Katoch dynasty.^{[citation needed]} Other names were Hanspur (Hamsapura), Bagpur (Vegapura), Sanb or Sanahpur (Sambapura).^[4][5] It has been postulated that the current name is derived from the Sanskrit name Mulasthana named after a Sun Temple.^[6][7] Multan has frequently been a site of conflict due to its location on a major invasion route between South Asia and Central Asia. It is believed to have been visited by Alexander the Great's army. In the mid-5th century, the city was attacked by a group of Huna Hephthalite nomads led by Toramana.

Multan was conquered along with Sindh by Muhammad bin Qasim, from the local ruler Chach of Alor crica 712 AD. Following bin Qasim's conquest, the city was securely under Muslim rule, although it was in effect an independent state and most of the subjects were non-Muslim.

In 965 CE, Multan was conquered by Halam b. Shayban, an Ismaili da'i. Soon after, Multan was attacked by Mahmud of Ghazni, destabilizing the Ismaili state. Mahmud of Ghazni invaded Multan in 1005 CE, conducting a series of campaigns during which the Ismailis of Multan were massacred.^[8] In an effort to gain his allegiance, the Fatimid Ismaili Imam-caliph al-Hakim^{[disambiguation needed ]} dispatched an envoy to Mahmud two years later. This attempt appeared to be unsuccessful and the Ghaznawids continued to attack other Ismaili strongholds in Sindh to suppress any resurgence of the community in the region. In 1032CE Mahmud's very own vizier, Hasanak was executed for having accepted a cloak from the Imam-caliph on suspicions that he had become an adherent of the Ismaili faith.^[8] Mahmud's purges of the region led several scholars including Stern to believe that the Ghaznawid purges of the region drove out Ismailism from the area, however recently-discovered letters dating to 1083 and 1088 demonstrate continued Ismaili activity in the region, as the Imam-caliph Mustansir dispatched new da'is to replace those who were killed in the attacks.^[8]

Multan's location at the entrance to the sub-continent resulted in it being invaded by a long series of conquerors on their way to Delhi. Timur, Babur and many others passed through the city, leaving much destruction in their wake. This violence continued as when Muhammad of Ghor attacked the city and drove out the remaining Ismailis^[9] whom he deemed to be heretics, in stark contrast to his predecessor, the Ghurid Sultan 'Ala' al-Din who welcomed numerous envoys from the Ismaili state of Alamut and according to the historian Juzjani, gave them "great reverence"^[8] Following annexation to Mughal empire in 1557 CE, at the beginning of emperor Akbar's rule;^[10] Multan enjoyed 200 years of peace, and became known as Dar al-Aman (Abode of Peace). Akbar was known as a wise ruler, setting reasonable taxes, creating effective government and being tolerant of religious differences.

Multan witnessed difficult times as Mughal rule declined in early 1700s, starting after death of emperor Aurangzeb in 1707. The last Naib Subahdars appointed by Farrukhsiyar at Multan were Khan Zaman Khan Ali Asghar ibn Kartalab Khan Bahadur Shahi Qazi Ghulam Mustafa and then Aqidat Khan ibn Ameer Khan.^[11] Persia was united under Nader Shah, ruling from 1736 as Shah of Iran. After his assassination in 1747, Ahmad Shah Durrani—who was born in Multan—rose to power. This counts as beginning of Durrani Empire.

In 1758, the Marathas under Raghunathrao captured Multan along with Lahore, Attock, Peshawar and Kashmir.^[12][13]

The city was re-captured by Durrani in 1760. However, after death of Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1772, the influence of Durrani empire declined sharply in mere fifty years. Starting at late in 1700s, Multan was ruled locally by the Pashtun Sadozai and Khogyani aka Khakwani chieftains.

In 1817, Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent a body of troops to Multan under the command of Diwan Bhiwani Das to receive from Nawab Muzaffar Khan the tribute he owed to the Sikh Darbar. Bhiwani Das laid siege to the city, but failed to capture Multan. Maharaja Ranjit Singh planned a fresh expedition and sent a strong force under his son Kharak Singh's charge.^[14]

In 1818, Kharak Singh and Hindu Commander Diwan Misr Chand armies lay around Multan without making much initial headway. Maharaja Ranjit Singh sent a large cannon named Zamzama . Though in name Armies was commanded by Prince Kharak Singh however it was the military genius of Diwan Misr Chand which captured Multan Fort. Muzzafar Khan urged the Majority Muslim population of Multan to fight a holy war against Sikhs and Hindus, however the tactics of Muzzafar Khan failed miserably as Sikh armies were able to suppress the religious revolt of Multan population. In the battle Diwan Misr Chand led Sikh armies to a decisive victory over Durrani General of Multan Nawab Muzaffar Khan. Muzzafar Khan and seven of his sons were killed before the Multan fort finally fell on March 2, 1818.^[15][16] The death of Durrani General Nawab Muzzafar Khan brought the death of Muslim rule in Multan. After the defeat of Muslims in 1818, Multan came under Muslims only when British Empire divided India into two Portion and gave Muslim majority areas to Muslims in 1947.^[17] Kharak Singh left Jodh Singh Ramgarhia with 600 men to guard the fort of Multan.^[18] The Sikhs thereafter ruled Punjab until 1849, when it was lost in the Second Anglo-Sikh War.. Sardar Karan Narain's son was awarded the title 'Rai Bahadur' and knighted by the British Raj for switching to their side. After the Anglo-Sikh Wars, Multan was made part of the British Raj. The British built some rail routes to the city, but its industrial capacity was never developed.

Multan became part of Pakistan upon Pakistan's independence in 1947.It initially lacked industry, hospitals and universities. Since then, there has been some industrial growth, and the city's population is continually growing. But the old city continues to be in a dilapidated state, and many monuments wear the effects of the warfare that has visited the city.

Geography and climate[link]

The city of Multan is located in Southern Punjab. The closest major city is D.G.Khan and Bahawalpur. The area around the city is a flat, alluvial plain and is ideal for agriculture, with many citrus and mango farms. There are many canals that cut across the Multan District, providing water from nearby farms. This makes the land very fertile. However usually land close to the Chenab are usually flooded in the monsoon season.

Multan features an arid climate with very hot summers and mild winters. The city witnesses some of the most extreme weather in the country. The highest recorded temperature is approximately 54 °C (129 °F), and the lowest recorded temperature is approximately −1 °C (30 °F). The average rainfall is roughly 127 millimetres (5.0 in). Dust storms are a common occurrence within the city.

Economy[link]

A local coppersmith displays his wares at the central market in Multan, Pakistan.

Mangos form a large portion of Multan's agricultural export market.

Multan is a commercial and industrial centre, as it is connected with the rest of the country through rail and air including the other industrial hubs such as Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Quetta and Faisalabad. Industries include fertilizer, cosmetics, glass manufacturing, cotton production and processing, large textile units, flour mills, sugar and oil mills and large-scale power generation projects. It is famous for its handicrafts (carpets & ceramics) and cottage industries. Roughly 1,900 acres (7.7 km²) of the city is still forested in the district. Trees grown in the area are Kikar, Shisham and Mulberry.

Large, irregular suburbs have grown outside the old walled town, and two satellite towns have been set up. The mangoes of Multan district are well-known. Multani khussa (traditional shoes), embroidery on dresses for women and men, furniture and other wooden products, earthenware pottery, painted pottery, camel-skin ware, surgical instruments and carpets are a few of the city's major exports, with a great demand within the country as well.

Multan is an important agricultural centre. Wheat, cotton and sugarcane are the main crops grown in the district. Moreover, rice, maize, tobacco, bajra, moong (lentils), mash (lentils), masoor (lentils), oil seed such as rape, mustard and sunflower are also grown in minor quantities in the district. Mangoes, citrus, guavas and pomegranate are the main fruits grown in the Multan district. Additionally, dates, jaman, pears, phalsa and bananas are grown in minor quantities in the district The city is also rich in minerals. These include argillaceous clay, coal, dolomite, fire clay, gypsum, limestone, silica and rock salt. Most of these are excavated for commercial activities and transported to other cities within the country. Many industrial factories are being inaugurated to handle the separation and quality control of these minerals. The minerals in the city are used in dolomite processing, fire bricks/refractories, hollow glassware, insulators/capacitors and ceramics.

Since Multan is agriculture-based, there is also plenty of livestock still growing at a positive rate, which has led to milk processing/dairy products units, ice cream manufacturing, animal and poultry feed, dairy farms, cattle/sheep/goat fattening plants, meat/poultry processing units, leather garments manufacturing, leather footwear, cosmetics, tinned goods and pharmaceuticals.

Government[link]

Administrative divisions of Multan District

Since the introduction of the local government system in 2001 the city has been governed by a Nazim (Mayor). But now Administrators who are government servants have the powers of Nazims. Multan is spread over an area of 3,721 square kilometers, comprising four tehsils: Multan City, Multan Saddar, Shujabad and Jalalpur Pirwala. In 2005 Multan was reorganised as a City District composed of six autonomous towns:

• Bosan
• Shah Rukan e Alam
• Mumtazabad now known as Moosa Pak Shaheed
• Sher Shah
• Shujabad
• Jalalpur
• Multan Cantonment

Demographics[link]

The Shahi Eid Ghah Mosque, Islam is the major religion in Multan

Urdu is mostly widely spoken and understood. Saraiki and its local dialect known as Multani is also widely spoken. English is only understood by the educated. The majority of the people are Muslims. However, the city does have significant Sikh and Hindu communities within the district. There are some temples and Gurdwaras within the city.

Multan has traditionally been a melting pot of several distinct ethnic groups due to its location at the intersection of all four of Pakistan's main provinces and due to its historical significance as a centre of learning and culture. As a result, Multan today consists of Saraiki, Haryanvi, Punjabi, Baloch, Pashtun, Sindhi, and Urdu speaking people.

As per the 1998 census of Pakistan, the following are the demographics of the district, by spoken language:

• Saraiki (Multani): 76.6%
• Haryanvi : 16.11% (11.01% in the city)
• Punjabi: 5.86% (6.64% in the city)
• Pashto: 0.62%
• Balochi: 0.10%
• Other: 1.04%

Culture[link]

A Sikh Gurdwara located in central Multan

A fruit vendor in a fruit market in the heart of Multan

Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam

Aerial view of the Multan Cricket Stadium

There is a saying in Persian that Multan is the 'City of Saints, Sufis and Beggars' (Gard, Garma, Gada o Goristan). It is one of the main cities in the Southern Punjab province of Pakistan. The city has been a focal point for many religions, in particular becoming a central abode for Sufism, the mystical side of Islam. The city has attracted Sufi saints from far places of the globe. Today, Multan is known as the 'City of Sufis'. His HighnessShaikh Amin bin Abdul Rehman, who has introduced the Idrisiyya sufi order in Pakistan, lives at 381-A, Shah Rukn-e-Alam Colony, New Multan, where a four-storey mosque adjacent to his residence is visited by people from all over the world. Multan is one of the oldest cities in South Asia, with many tombs, shrines, temples, cathedrals and mausoleums, as well as a historical fort. Today Multan is a combination of old and the new Pakistan culture. There is a big hustle bustle in the old city and comfort of a five star hotel and fine dining in the new. The old city has a various bazaars selling mystical artifacts, perfumes to arts and crafts. There are also elaborately decorated shrines of the Sufi saints, tombs of various travellers and important people within the old city of Multan.

The prime attractions of Multan are its mausoleums of Sufi saints. The Mausoleum of Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakariya, as well as the Mausoleum of Shah Rukn-e-Alam are the prime attractions of the city. Their lofty domes of are visible, from miles and dominate the skyline of Multan. Another popular shrine is the Mausoleum of Shams-ud-Din, commonly known as Shah Shamsuddin Sabzwari is located about half a mile to the east of the Multan Fort, on the high bank of the old bed of the Ravi River.

Another famous and beautiful mausoleum of a warrior sufi saint and poet Hazrat Hafiz Muhammad Jamal Multani (1747–1811 AD) is situated near Aam Khas garden outside Daulat Gate, Multan.

There are also a number of other mausoleums located within the city which gather a great deal of attention. The Nuagaza tombs are shrines to martyrs and warriors who fought in wars centuries ago, some dating back 1,300 years ago. The Multan Museum located within the city has a vast collection of coins, medals, postage stamps of the former State of Bahawalpur, manuscripts, documented inscriptions, wood carvings, camel-skin paintings, historical models and stone carvings of the Islamic and Pre-Islamic periods.

Multan also has a number of old mosques which were once considered as the jewels of the city. Some have been dated back to over a thousand years ago and have been recognized as some of the oldest mosques within South East Asia. The legend goes that the first mosque ever built in Multan was the Jamia Mosque which was constructed on the orders of General Mohammed Qasim, who conquered Multan in 712AD. Ruins of this mosque were visible till 1954 at Qasim Bella; however, due to repeated floods, the structure was lost. Sawi Mosque is supposed to be the oldest mosque which still exists today, though in deteriorating state; there are glazed blue tiles from the era in which it was built which dates the mosque to several centuries ago. The second oldest mosque within Multan is Mohammad Khan Wali Mosque. It is an excellent condition, situated in the busiest Chowck Bazar of the city. It was built by Nawab Ali Mohammad Khan Khakwani, in 1757 when he was the governor of Multan in the time of Alamgir II. The mosque is provided with a reservoir for the ablutions, baths, and a large hall for prayers.

Multan is another Pakistani city that loves cricket. Multan is home of the Faysal Bank T20 Cup team Multan Tigers. The city government inaugurated a new multi-purpose stadium replacing Ibn-e-Qasim Bagh Stadium which was the lone stadium used for football and cricket matches. The inauguration of the new stadium has allowed the city to offer Test day/night matches as well as other national sports such as hockey, badminton and football. The stadium is home to the Multan Cricket Association. Other sports grounds include Divisional Sports Ground and the Pakistan Cricket Board owned Government College Cricket Ground

Education[link]

In 1950, then-Governor Abdur Rub Nishtar founded Nishter Medical College. Doctor graduates of this institution have spread across the world, and many have become established names in the field of medicine. The new Nishtar Institute of Dentistry provides dental and surgical services to Multan and the adjoining cities. Bahauddin Zakariya University (formerly known as Multan University) is the main source of higher education for this region. The Swedish Institute of Technology in Multan is a campus of the Swedish Group of Technical Institutes, the largest private-sector organization providing technical education and vocational training in the Punjab.^[19] Multan Medical and Dental College is the only private medical institution in Southern Punjab. Now more universities from federal are also open there campuses here in Multan as they are trying to make this city more educated like AIR university,NUML( National university of modern languages ),a private institute of medical college name MMDC ( Multan medical and dental college ), The first Education Institute, Institute of Southern Punjab is the only private institute recognize by HEC in Multan.

Restaurants in Multan[link]

Multan is full of bazaars, mosques, shrines and plenty of places to have food. Restaurants in Multan serve array of cuisine’s including Pakistan Food, Continental Food, Fast Food, Arabic, BBQ and Chinese. Restaurants in Multan Range from Multi National Food Chains like (KFC, Subway, Pizza Hut) to some amazing Local Restaurants like Bundu Khan, MUX Lounge and Restaurant, Zanzibar. Some famous cuisines of the city are the Multani Mutton Chops and a special dessert named "Sohan halwa".

Transportation[link]

Nishtar Chowk Flyover

Chungi No 8 Flyover

Multan has connections with other cities by a variety of means of transportation. The district has concrete road reaching up to 983.69 km. The district is linked with Khanewal, Lodhran and Muzaffargarh districts through concrete roads. Buses to Bahawalpur leave frequently, since it is located closely to the city. There are a variety of buses travelling farther from the city. Many of them are now air-conditioned with a fairly good safety record. The N-5 National Highway connects the city to connect to all parts of Pakistan. The road otherwise, known as GT Road, allows connections to Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Karachi, Lahore as well as Bahawalpur. Coach services such as Daewoo Express, Faisal Movers Express, Niazi Express,Khan brothers transport, Nadir flying coach, Punjab Tourism Department, Skyways and New Khan Bus Service are some of the most reliable coach companies operating out of Multan.

Multan is connected by rail with all parts of the country and lies on the main track between Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore and Quetta. The main Peshawar-Karachi railway line passes through Multan district. The district then links trains to nearby districts of Khanewal, Lodhran and Muzafargarh districts through the railway network.^[20]

Multan International Airport is an airport situated 10 km away from the city centre of Multan. It is not as large as the other airports in Pakistan, as it operates to cater mainly to the population of Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Sahiwal, and Pakpattan to mainly to other points within Pakistan as well as the Middle East. Flight are currently operated by the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines. However, since the growth of air travel within the region, there has been speculated interest from other private carriers. The rise in air-travel has also led to the expansion of the current airport with a new runway and terminal.

Notable saints of Multan[link]

• Shah Yousaf Gardezi (d. 1136), tomb located inner Bohar Gate Multan
• Mai Maharban (11/12th Century), tomb located near Chowk Fawara, children complex Multan
• Bahauddin Zikarya (1170–1267), tomb located in Multan Fort
• Shah Shams Sabzwari (1165–1276)
• Shah Rukne Alam (1251–1335), tomb located in Multan Fort
• Khawaja Awais Kagha (d. 1300), tomb located in Dera Basti graveyard Multan
• Syed Musa Pak (d. 1592)
• Hafiz Muhammad Jamal Multani (1747–1811)
• Syed Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari (1892–1961), buried in Jalal Bakri
• Sher Shah, tomb located in Sher Shah town of Multan city
• Sufi Naazar Hussain, tomb located in setal marri, nobahar neher Multan

Notable people from Multan[link]

• Syed Ata Ullah Shah Bukhari (Founder of Majlis-e-Ahrar-e-Islam, Died in Multan)
• Amjad Islam Amjad, poet and drama writer, born in Multan
• Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistani cricketer
• Javed Hashmi of PTI, first MNA, elected eight times
• Jinnahbhai Poonja, father of Quaid-E-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, born in Multan
• Nawab Ali Mohammad Khan Khakwani

Twin cities[link]

Multan has a friendship agreement with three cities in the world as of 2011^[update]:

• Rome, Italy^[21]
• Konya, Turkey^[22]
• Rasht, Iran^[23]
• Banten Province, Indonesia, Start since 11 July 2011

See also[link]

• List of places in Multan
• History of Multan
• Climate of Multan
• City Wall of Multan
• Multan International Airport
• Siege of Multan
• Battle of Multan
• Mausoleums of Multan
• Multan Division
• Multan District
• Hindu temples in Multan
• List of educational institutions in Multan
• Mosques of Multan
• Multan Museum
• Multan Fort
• NFC Institute of Engineering and Technological Training

References[link]

External links[link]

Find more about Multan on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Definitions and translations from Wiktionary
	Images and media from Commons
	Learning resources from Wikiversity
	News stories from Wikinews
	Quotations from Wikiquote
	Source texts from Wikisource
	Textbooks from Wikibooks

• Multan travel guide from Wikitravel
• Multan City government website
• Britannica: Multan
• Multan City portal
• Historic Places Preservation Project Multan

v t e Districts of Punjab, Pakistan Attock Bahawalnagar Bahawalpur Bhakkar Chakwal Chiniot Dera Ghazi Khan Faisalabad Gujranwala Gujrat Hafizabad Jhang Jhelum Kasur Khanewal Khushab Lahore Layyah Lodhran Mandi Bahauddin Mianwali Multan Muzaffargarh Narowal Nankana Sahib Okara Pakpattan Rahim Yar Khan Rajanpur Rawalpindi Sahiwal Sargodha Sheikhupura Sialkot Toba Tek Singh Vehari See also: Districts of Punjab, India

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Ghazi Khan Mirani
Tomb of Ghazi Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan
Coronation	15th Century
House	Baloch chieftain
Father	Haji Khan Mirani
Burial	Tomb of Ghazi Khan, Dera Ghazi Khan
Religion	Islam

Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirani (Balochi, Saraiki, Urdu غازی خان میرانی) was the son of Haji Khan Mirani, a powerful Balochi chieftain living in modern-day Pakistan.

The Derajat had its existence as an historical area to the Baloch immigration in the fifteenth century. Sultan Husain, the Langah Dynasty's Sultans of [[Multan], being unable to hold his trans-Indus possessions, called in Baloch mercenaries, and assigned these territories to Malik Sohrab Dodai in jagir. Sohrab's sons, Ismail and Fateh Khan, founded the two Deras or `settlements' named after them ; while Haji Khan, father of Ghazi Khan and the head of the old Mirani tribe of the Balochis, who had also entered the service of the Langahs, assumed independence in the reign of Sultan Mahmud, Sultan Husain's grandson, and founded Dera Ghazi Khan, naming it after his son and successor in the 1476 on the western bank of the Indus River. Haji Khan died in 1494. The tract was a deserted waste but contained a few isolated towns. The Miranis soon came into conflict with the Nahars, who ruled the country on the Indus to the south, the boundary between the rival powers lying north of Rajanpur ; but the Miranis also held some territory east of the Indus in Muzaffargarh District.

There many folk tales associated with Ghazi Khan and his minister Gaaman Sachar, which is a legendary character in Saraiki literature.

Tomb of Ghazi Khan[link]

The tomb of Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani, locally called as handeera in Saraiki, was built in the beginning of 15th century. This seems like the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan. It is located in the Mulla Quaid Shah Graveyard. Its main gate is from eastern side and two small doors are in side of north and south. In it there are 11 graves, which are of the family of Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani. Every side of the tomb is 13 feet (4.0 m) and 3 inches (76 mm) from inside and there are conical minarets from the outside. Its circular distance from the earth is 17 feet (5.2 m) and half. The half diameter of the conical minarets remains 34 inches (860 mm) on the highest of 19 feet (5.8 m). There are 28 ladders from northern side in the internal side. The graveyard was built up around the tomb of Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirrani. This is the oldest building in the city. The tomb condition is continuously deteriorating and many social activists are raising voice to preserve this heritage.^[1]

List of Places after his name[link]

• Dera Ghazi Khan, a city in Pakistan
• Ghazi Ghat, a village in Muzaffargarh, Pakistan

List of Institutions after his name[link]

• Ghazi University
• Ghazi Medical College

List of Companies and Organizations after his name[link]

• Al-Ghazi Tractors
• Ghazi Textile Mills

See also[link]

• Dera Ghazi Khan
• Derajat
• Mirani tribe
• Langah Dynasty
• Pakistan

References[link]

External Links[link]

• http://www.urbanpk.com/forums/index.php?/topic/27430-dera-ghazi-khan-mir-ghazi-khan-mirani-balochs-tomb/
• http://www.wasaib.com/view/11/1/5/1.html
• http://pakgen.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/tome-of-ghazi-khan-mirani.html

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Allama Nasir Abbas was once one of the most wanted Pakistani jihadists in South East Asia. He was a member of al-Qaeda's regional affiliate, Jemaah Islamiya (JI).

According to Indonesia's top anti-terrorist police officer, General Ansyaad Mbai, Abbas was a very dangerous man and one of the key figures in the JI.

Political Stands and 'Redemption'[link]

In a BBC interview, Abbas explained his philosophy of jihad. Abbas stated that he believes it is acceptable to fight and kill foreign forces occupying Muslim countries. He gives as examples the Soviets in Afghanistan, the Americans in Iraq and the Philippine army occupying what he describes as ancestral Muslim lands in Mindanao. According to Abbas, the killing of innocent civilians - men, women and children - is forbidden.^{[citation needed]}

Abbas uses his position to criticize the modern violent jihad philosophy, outlined by Palestinian Abdullah Azzam, acknowledged to be the "father" of modern violent jihad. He stated in his interview the 202 civilian deaths in the 2002 Bali bombings gave him pause. Abbas actively assisted the police in tracking down and arresting some of his former comrades. He explains that from that point on, he tried to persuade his former comrades that their interpretation of the Quran was wrong, and urged them to "return to the right path of Islamic teaching".^{[citation needed]}

See also[link]

• 2002 Bali bombings
• Abdullah Azzam
• Islamism

References[link]

• The jihadi who turned 'supergrass', Peter Taylor, BBC News, 13 September 2006
• 60 Minutes: "Inside the Enemy Camp", Bob Simon, 6 May 2007
• Nasir Abas, terrorist defector, aids Indonesian polic, Seth Mydans, The New York Times, 29 February 2008

Nawaz Sharif نواز شریف
Prime Minister of Pakistan
In office 17 February 1997 – 12 October 1999
President	Rafiq Tarar Farooq Leghari Wasim Sajjad
Preceded by	Malik Meraj Khalid (Acting)
Succeeded by	Zafarullah Khan Jamali
In office 26 May 1993 – 18 July 1993
President	Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Preceded by	Balakh Sher Mazari (Acting)
Succeeded by	Moeenuddin Ahmad Qureshi (Acting)
In office 6 November 1990 – 18 April 1993
President	Ghulam Ishaq Khan
Preceded by	Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi (Acting)
Succeeded by	Balakh Sher Mazari (Acting)
Minister of Defence
In office 17 February 1997 – 12 October 1999
Preceded by	Shahid Hamid (Acting)
Succeeded by	Pervez Musharraf
Leader of the Opposition
In office 19 October 1993 – 5 November 1996
Preceded by	Benazir Bhutto
Succeeded by	Benazir Bhutto
Chief Minister of Punjab
In office 9 April 1985 – 13 August 1990
Governor	Makhdoom Sajjad Hussain Qureshi Tikka Khan
Preceded by	Sadiq Hussain Qureshi
Succeeded by	Ghulam Haider Wyne
Personal details
Born	(1949-12-25) 25 December 1949 (age 62) Lahore, Pakistan
Political party	Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz
Alma mater	Government College University University of the Punjab

Nawaz Sharif (Punjabi, Urdu: نواز شریف; born December 5, 1949) is a Pakistani steel magnate and national conservative, serving as the 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan in two non-consecutive terms from November 1990 to July 1993, and from February 1997 until October 12, 1999. He is the President of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, the Centre-right-conservative political force in Pakistan.

Before becoming the Prime minister, Sharif served as the ninth Chief Minister of Punjab Province from 1985 to 1990 and embarked his political career under the military regime of President General Zia-ul-Haq. An advocate and businessman, he owns Ittefaq Group, a private steel mill enterprise and one of the largest producer of iron materials, noted as being as Pakistan's one of the wealthiest investor in the steel mill business.^[1] His political philosophy emphasized and reflected conservatism advocating for the free-market economy, capitalism as its economic base. His first term survived a serious constitutional crisis when President Ghulam Ishaq Khan attempted to dismissed Sharif by citing "corruption and nepotism", which Sharif strongly denied and turned to Supreme Court.^[2] The apex Supreme Court of Pakistan favored the Prime minister citing that Presidential ordnance as "unconstitutional and irrelevant", therefore the government was reconstituted.^[2] His first term was finally dismissed after the Pakistan Armed Forces persuaded him to resign to end the political standoff with President Ishaq Khan, which he too was forced to resigned.^[2]

From 1993 until 1996, Sharif served as the Leader of the Opposition. In 1997, he was elected on for a second term by an overwhelming margin after defeating Benazir Bhutto whose government was dismissed on corruption allegations by her own-puppet President Farooq Leghari.^[3] During his second term, he notably ordered Pakistan's first nuclear tests (see Chagai-I and Chagai-II) in response to India's second nuclear tests, conducted roughly two weeks ago in May 1998, as part of his Tit for tat policy— a policy he termed and coined shortly.^[4][5] In 1999, Sharif controversially appointed Pervez Musharraf— then lieutenant-general and then-serving commander of the I Strike Corps— as the Chief of Army Staff, promoting him to the 4-star rank after Sharif dismissing General Jehangir Karamat.^[6] Sharif later violated the code of conduct of Pakistan Armed Forces when he controversially approved the appointment General Pervez Musharraf to an another prestigious 4-star assignment, elevating the General Musharraf as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.^[6] His decision forced Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Fasih Bokhari to resign from the Navy, and received strong criticism for making this political move by the media and the opposition led by Benazir Bhutto.^[6]

Despite achieving two-third majority,^[3] Sharif's approval rating fell dramatically due to rising unemployment and record foreign debt,^[7] which he was unable to control in 1998 after ordering the tests.^[6] Problems with Judicial authorities and with Pakistan Armed Forces further escalated after Sharif ordered a complete evacuation of Pakistan Armed Forces from Kargil, and he was finally ousted in an military coup d'état led by General Musharraf after Nawaz attempted to relieve General Musharraf as Chief of Army Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.^[6] He dramatically returned to Pakistan in late 2007 after eight years of forced exile by General Musharraf in a secret contract he claimed that he was forced to sign in. Now in Pakistan, Sharif successfully called for Musharraf's impeachment and the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Early life and education[link]

Sharif was born in Lahore, West Pakistan^[8] on 25 December 1949.^[9] His father, Muhammad Sharif, was an upper middle-class businessman and industrialist who had migrated from Amritsar district to Pakistan during the 1947 Indian partition.^[8] His family is of Kashmiri-Punjabi origin.^[8] His father followed the teachings of the Ahl al-Hadith.^[10] His family owns Ittefaq Group, a multimillion dollar steel conglomerate.^[11] His brother Shahbaz Sharif is the incumbent Chief Minister of Punjab province while his nephew Hamza Shahbaz Sharif is a member of the National Assembly. And his daughter Maryam Nawaz is also in politics and a leader of his party.

He went to Saint Anthony High School.^[9] He graduated from the Government College University, Lahore with an art and business degree and then received a law degree from the University of Punjab.^[9][12] He is married to Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif.^[13]

Initial political career[link]

Nawaz Sharif started his political career during the time of nationalization policy of former Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.^[8] The Sharif family was financially devastated after discoverying that the family business was lost into the hands of the government, and Sharif jumped into national politics soon after.^[8] In 1976, Sharif politically motivated himself and joined the Pakistan Muslim League, a conservative front rooted from Punjab Province, initially focused to regain the control of his steel industry from the hands of Bhutto's government.^[8] In May 1980 Ghulam Jilani Khan, the recently-appointed Governor of the Punjab Province and a former Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), initiated a search for new urban leaders, and Sharif was one of the men he found and promoted, quickly making him Finance Minister of the Punjab.^[14] 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.^[8]

He maintained close relations with the Zia-ul-Haq, who soon agreed to return to him his private steel mill which was had been lost during the wave of nationalization by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.^[8] 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 — a conservative political alliance that supported Sharif.^[8]

Punjab Advisory Council[link]

In 1981, he initially joined as a member of the Punjab Advisory Council^[12] under General Ghulam Jilani Khan, the Governor of the Province.^[14] Since his early career, Sharif has been a strong vocal of capitalism and strongly opposed its inverse, the nationalization.^[8] In 1980s, Sharif gained influence on General Zia-ul-Haq who had previously agreed to return his steel industry to him, convincing the General to denationalize and deregulate the industries in order to improve the economy.^[8] Under the Military government of Lieutenant-General Ghulam Jilani Khan, Sharif was appointed as the provisional finance minister and successfully attempted to denationalize all of the government-owned industries to private sector.^[12] As provincial finance minister, he presented development-oriented budgets to the military government.^[12] As Finance minister, Sharif gained prominence and fame in Punjab Province which also extended the rule of General Ghulam Jillani, as he improved the law and order situation in Punjab Province.^[8] Financial policies drafted and approved by Sharif, who was backed by General Zia, Punjab Province benefited with the better financial capital and purchasing power of Punjab Province's locals were greatly and exponentially improved. Punjab Province having Sharif as Finance minister, received many funds by the federal government than any other provinces of Pakistan, which also contributed in economical inequality between Punjab Province and other provinces.^[8] Due to its huge financial capital in 1980s, Punjab Province was Pakistan's richest province and Punjab Province's better standard of living comparing to other provinces.^[8]

Chief Minister of Punjab[link]

In 1985 General Ghulam Jilani Khan nominated Sharif as Chief Minister of the Punjab, against the wishes of the new prime minister, Muhammad Khan Junejo, who wanted a rural candidate, Malik Allahyar.^[14] Sharif secured the landslide victory during the non-political parties 1985 elections and became Chief Minister of Punjab with the support of the army.^[8] He served for two consecutive terms as Chief Minister of Punjab Province, the most populous province of Pakistan.^[15] Because of his vast popularity, he received the nickname "Lion of the Punjab".^[16] As chief minister, he stressed welfare and development activities and the maintenance of law and order.^[12]

The provincial Martial Law Administrator of Punjab Province, Lieutenant-General Ghulam Jilani Khan sponsored the government of Nawaz Sharif, and Sharif built his ties with the senior army generals who would remain supportive and sponsored Sharif's ministerial ship.^[12] General Jilani Khan made much headway in beautifying Lahore, extending military infrastructure, and muting political opposition, while Sharif maintained the law and order in the province, expanded the economical infrastructure that not only benefited and also the people of Punjab province.^[12] In 1985, General Zia dismissed the government of hand-picked Prime minister Muhammad Khan Junejo, and called for new elections.^[12] However, with all the provisional and the national assemblies were dissolved, General Zia-ul-Haq retained Sharif as the Chief Minister of Punjab Province, and continued Sharif's support until his death and the elections were held in 1988.^[12]

1988 elections[link]

After General Zia's death in August 1988, Zia's political party — Pakistan Muslim League (Pagara Group) — split into two factions.^[17] Sharif led the Zia loyalist Fida Group against the Junejo Group, led by Prime Minister Muhammad Khan Junejo.^[17] The Fida Group later took on the mantle of the PML while the Junejo Group became known as the JIP.^[17] 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).^[17] The alliance was co-led by Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi and Sharif to oppose Benazir Bhutto's PPP in the elections.^[17] The IJI gained substantial majorities in the Punjab and Sharif was reelected Chief Minister of Punjab.^[17]

In December 1989, Sharif decided to remain in the provincial Punjab Assembly rather than hold a seat in the National Assembly.^[18] In early 1989, the PPP government failed to unseat Sharif through a no-confidence motion in the Punjab Assembly.^[17] Sharif retained control by a vote of 152 to 106.^[17]

First term as Prime Minister (1990-93)[link]

The conservative forces for the first times in the country's history, came into the power under a democratic system, under the leadership of the Nawaz Sharif.^[19] Nawaz Sharif became the 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan on 1 November 1990 as well as he was the head of IJI and succeeded Benazir Bhutto as Prime minister.^[19] IJI had been created and funded by the Zia loyalist in the ISI, it received Rs 15 million from the ISI.^[20] He campaigned on a conservative platform and vowed to reduce government corruption.^[19] He focused on improving the nation's infrastructure and spurred the growth of digital telecommunication.^[19] He privatized government banks and opened the door for further industrial privatization, and disbanded Zulfikar Bhutto's policies.^[19] He legalized foreign money exchange to be transacted through private money exchangers.^[19] His privatization policies were continued by both Benazir Bhutto in mid 1990s and Shaukat Aziz as well in 2000s.^[19]

Conservative policies[link]

Sharif took steps to initiate Islamization and conservatism at once.^[19] The continuation of conservative change in Pakistan society was encouraged, a policy started by Zia ul Haq. Reforms were made to introduce fiscal conservatism, supply-side economics, bioconservatism and religious conservatism in Pakistan.^[19]

He took many steps to raise the issue of Kashmir on international forums, to transfer power peacefully in Afghanistan so to put an end to the drug smugglers and illegal transaction of unregistered weapons across the border which was promoting then increasing numbers of dacoits in the country.^[19] Sharif intensified General Zia-ul-Haq's controversial Islamization policies, and introduced Islamic Laws such as the Shariat Ordinance and Bait-ul-Maal (to help poor orphans widows, etc.); Moreover he gave tasks to the Ministry of Religion to prepare reports and recommendations for steps taken for Islamization. He ensured the establishment of three committees.^[19]

• 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.^[19] Nawaz Sharif was pretty confident that he had majority in the assembly thus he ruled with considerable confidence. He had disputes with three successive army chiefs.^[19] 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.^[21]

Domestic issues[link]

Following the imposition and passing of the Resolution 660, Resolution 661, and the Resolution 665, Sharif sided with the United Nations on Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.^[22] A major international incident took place in the Middle East with Iraq invading the Kuwait which dismay the world. Sharif's government criticized Iraq for invading the fellow Muslim country, which led to strained the Pakistan's relationships with Iraq.^[22] The relationships continued to be strained as Pakistan seek to tighten its relations with Iran, and his foreign policy continued by Benazir Bhutto, Pervez Musharraf until the removal of Saddam Hussain in 2003.^[22]

Sharif contended with former Chief of Army Staff General Mirza Aslam Beg over the 1991 Gulf War (See Operation Desert Storm).^[22] Under the direction of General Beg, Pakistan Armed Forces actively participated in the conflict and the Army Special Service Group and the Naval Special Service Group was rushed to Saudi Arabia in order to provide intense security to Saudi royal family.^[22] Sharif also contended the upcoming Chief of Army Staff General Asif Navaz over the paramilitary operation in Sindh Province (See Operation Clean-Up).^[22]

Sharif, during his first term, founded difficult working with PPP and the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), a potent force in Karachi.^[23] The MQM and PPP opposed Sharif widely due to his focused on beautifying Punjab and Kashmir while neglecting Sindh.^[23] The MQM, a liberal force, also opposed Sharif's conservatism. The clash between liberalism and conservatism soon forces soon erupted in 1992 when political tension began to arise in which both party renegading ideological war against each other.^[23] Despite MQM had formed government with Sharif, more and more problems were mounted between Sharif and the MQM in 1992.^[23] 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.^[23] During this time, the democratic socialist Pakistan Peoples Party remained quiet and neutral while watching the impact of the cold war between liberal and conservative forces.^[23] 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).^[22] Launched in 1992, violence erupted in Karachi and brought an economic halt in the country that dismantle Sharif's industrialization and investment that was being brought by Sharif.^[23] Benazir Bhutto, during the course of this episode, remained silent as she too had opposed the MQM.^[23] His operation continued by Benazir also, but due to amid pressure exerted by her brother Murtaza Bhutto, the operation came to halt.^[23] The period of 1992-1994 is considered the bloodiest years in the history of the city, with many went missing while many innocent were killed.^[23]

During his second term, Altaf Hussain decided to join with Sharif and tried to reach a compromise, Soon after the 1997 parliamentary elections, MQM joined with Sharif but this alliance fall apart following the assassination of Hakim Said.^[23] 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.^[23] 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, Khyber, Kashmir and the Punjab Provinces.^[23]

Industrialization and Privatization[link]

Sharif takes the credit building the largest superhighway in Pakistan as part of his industrialization policy.

Shortly after taking power, Sharif announced that his government would carry out a national reconstruction programme to industrialize Pakistan. Acknowledged since that the unemployment had became Pakistan's greatest disadvantage in economic growth and that only industrial and privatization growth could solve the economic slow down.^[19] In 1990, Sharif announced the nuclear policy and aimed to continue the peaceful atomic programme benefit for country's economic infrastructure. Sharif expanded nuclear energy program in entire country and peaceful and economic infrastructure was extensively built by him by the 1990s.^[19] Many of the nuclear medicine and nuclear engineering projects were completed under his government as part of Sharif's Atoms for Peace program.

Sharif also upgraded the Islamic laws such as Shariat Ordinance and Bait-ul-Maal (to help poor orphans widows) to drive the country to became a Pakistan a truly Islamic welfare state.^[19] Sharif family was an affectee of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's nationalization policy.^[19] A number of important industries, such as Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, Pakistan International Airlines and Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd were opened up to the private sector.^[19] Sharif successfully privatized the National Development Finance Corporation^[19]

He introduced and inaugurated several large scale projects to stimulate the economy, such as the Ghazie-Barotah Hydropower plant and the.^[19] However, unemployment remained a challenge, therefore Sharif imported thousands of privatized Yellow-cab taxis to many young Pakistanis, but this program came at a cost.^[19] Few of the loans were repaid by the government and Sharif founded it difficult to privatized these taxis at low rate, since the young and poor could not afford at higher price.^[19] However, Sharif indeed privatized these taxis at low rate and his steel industry was forced to pay the remaining cost.^[19] During his first and second term, Sharif intensified his policies of industrialization and privatization of major industries that were nationalized by former Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.^[19] Undoing what was previously done in 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 industrialized and privatized by him.^[19] This radical move did had positive impact on country's economy and the economy progressed at an appropriate level.^[19] Sharif policies were also continued by Benazir Bhutto, who nationalized only those industries that needed a government bail out plan, and by Pervez Musharraf and Shaukat Aziz in 2000s who managed to privatized all of the major industries by the end his term in 2008.^[19]

As his second term, Prime minister Sharif built the largest Pakistan first major motorway which is known as M2 Motorway (3MM), and it is often called as Autobahns of South Asia.^[19] This semi-government and semi-privatized mega project was completed in November, 1997 at a cost of U.S. $989.12 million.^[19] His critics questions the lay out of the highway due to excessive length, being away from the important cities and 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.^[19] 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.^[19]

During his first term, Sharif focused his industrialization on Punjab and Kashmir Provinces, mild and few projects were completed in Khyber and Balochistan provinces. While, the Sindh Province did not benefit with his industrialization.^[19] After receiving intense criticism by Pakistan Peoples Party and the liberal-secular Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM), Sharif launched the Orangi Cottage Industrial Zone which was completed and finally inaugurated by him.^[19] However, prime minister's reputation in Sindh was widely damaged because of his focused on beautifying Lahore and Kashmir while he neglected other provinces.^[19] Sharif's industrialization are also target by his opponents as it was focused and circled only on Punjab and Kashmir, Sharif's native provinces.^[24] His opponents argued that Sharif, as prime minister, obtained permits for building factories for himself and his business.^[19] Sharif is also blamed for expanding and finance Armed Forces' secretive industrial conglomerate and, is also blamed for bribing the generals to protected himself.^[24]

Sharif gave strong and vehement criticism to former Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's socialist economics policies, as citing as "lamentable state of Pakistan".^[24] His privatization policies were staunchly criticized by former science advisor Dr. Mubashir Hassan, calling it Sharif's privatization "unconstitutional".^[24] Other PPP members also stood the fact that nationalization measures were protected by the Parliament who gave this policy a constitutional picture and status. The Peoples Party felt the privatization policies where illegal and taking place with out parliamentary approval and parliament was not taken in confidence.^[24]

Bu by the end of the second Sharif government, the economy in a turmoil that damaged Sharif's credibility. Facing serious structural issues and financial problems, the inflation and the foreign debt stood at an all time high and the unemployment that reached at its highest point in the history of Pakistan. Pakistan had debts $32bn against reserves of little more than $1bn. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had suspended aid demanding the country finances are sorted out. Sharif attempted to control the Stock Exchanges under government's control, but that move backfired brutally on Sharif and by the time Sharif was deposed, the country was heading for a financial default.^[7]

Science policy[link]

Sharif took steps for intense government control of science in Pakistan and the projects needed his authorization.^[25] In 1991, Sharif founded and authorized the Pakistan Antarctic Programme under the scientific directions of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), with the Pakistan Navy's Weapons Engineering Division, and first established the Jinnah Antarctic Station and the Polar Research Cell. In 1992, Pakistan became an Associate Member of Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research which was signed by his Science Adviser Munir Ahmed Khan at United Nations. As like Benazir, the ongoing nuclear weapons and the energy program remained one of his top priority.^[25] 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.^[25] 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 built 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 authorized 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 May 28 as the National Science Day in Pakistan.

Atomic policy[link]

On November 7, 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.^[26] On 26 November, Sharif authorized talks with the U.S. to solve the nuclear crises after the U.S. had tightened its embargo on Pakistan, prompting Sharif to send his government's Treasure Minister Sartaj Aziz to held talks on Washington.^[26] It was widely reported in Pakistan that the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Teresita Schaffer had told the Foreign Minister Shahabzada Yaqub Khan to halt the uranium enrichment programme.^[26]

In December, France's Commissariat à l'énergie atomique agreed to provide a commercial 900MW power plant, but plans did not materialize as France wanted Pakistan to provide entire financial funds for the plant.^[26] On December, the financial embargo was placed and the country's economy felt a distress that prompted Sharif to replace his Treasure minister.^[26] Sharif then used Munir Ahmad Khan to have convinced IAEA to allow Pakistan for a nuclear plant in Chashman where Khan intensively lobbied in IAEA for the nuclear power plant.^[26] In December 1990, IAEA allowed Pakistan to established CHASNUPP-I, signed with China; the IAEA also gave approval of upgrading of the KANUPP-I in 1990.^[26] During his first term, Sharif intensified his non-nuclear weapon policy and strictly followed the policy of deliberate nuclear ambiguity which was also continued by Benazir as well.^[26] Responding to U.S. embargo, Sharif publicly announced that: "Pakistan possessed no [atomic] bomb... Pakistan would be happy to sign the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) but it must be provided "first" to India to do the same.^[26]

Sharif intensified his move to enhance the Pakistan's integrated nuclear development and authorized projects that seemed to be important in his point of views.^[25] 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.^[25] 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.^[25] His policies to make the nuclear program for economical use was also continued by Benazir Bhutto and Pervez Musharraf, and is still carried upon under Yousaf Raza Gillani, the current Prime minister.^[25]

Co-operatives societies scandal[link]

Sharif also lost from support the Punjab Province and Kashmir Province as well when the co-operatives societies scandal became public.^[19] 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.^[19] However, mismanagement of these societies led to a collapse in which millions of Pakistanis lost money in 1992.^[19] 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.^[19]

1993 constitutional crises[link]

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.^[27] Before 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.^[27] Khan appointed Mir Blake Scher as the interim Prime Minister.^[27] 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.^[27] In May 26, 1993, Sharif returned to power after the Supreme Court ruled that the Presidential Order as unconstitutional and reconstituted the National Assembly on its immediate effect.^[27] 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.^[27]

End of first term[link]

However, issues with the President over the authority circled and a subsequent political stand off was instigated between President and Prime minister.^[27] Finally, on 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.^[27] In July 1993, Chief of Army Staff General Abdul Vahied Kakar and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Shamim Allam forced President Ishaq Khan to resign from the presidency and subsequently ended the political standoff.^[27] 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.^[27]

Parliamentary opposition (1993-96)[link]

New elections were held in the year of 1993 and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), under Benazir Bhutto, returned to power for the third time.^[27] Sharif conceded defeat and offered his full co-operation as Leader of the Opposition but soon the PPP and PML-N again came at loggerheads in the Parliament.^[27] Benazir's government found it difficult to act effectively in the face of opposition from Sharif.^[27] Benazir Bhutto also faced problems with her younger brother, Murtaza Bhutto, in her stronghold, Sindh Province.^[27]

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.^[27] 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.^[27] 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.^[27] Sharif played a major part in organizing labor 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.^[27] 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.^[27]

Second term as Prime Minister (1997-99)[link]

U.S. Defense Secretary, William S. Cohen, with Prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

By 1996, the national economy has came under the intense situation and deadlock, and a economic failure was soon near.^[28] The continuous and large-scale of government corruption made by either Benazir Bhutto and her appointed government ministers had deteriorated the country's economy at the extreme level.^[28] In the 1997 parliamentary elections, Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) won a landslide victory in the elections, brutally defeating Benazir Bhutto and her People's party.^[28] Commenting on his victory, the Pakistan media and the people of Pakistan hoped that Sharif would provide a conservative but a stable government benefit for Pakistan as he promised earlier.^[28] Besides Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, no other leader, in the history of Pakistan, has enjoyed his level of popularity, and received the exclusive mandate from all over the Pakistan to improve the all over conditions in Pakistan at same time.^[28] As commentary, 1997 election resulted to boost Navaz popularity and was mandate onerous task to improve the country's economy.^[28] Navaz defeated Benazir Bhutto with overwhelmingly voting numbers and it was the worst defeat of Bhutto and People's party since its inception.^[28] After the elections, Navaz arrived to Islamabad where he met with large crowd of spontaneous and jubilant people supporting for Nawaz, it took more than 13 hours for Nawaz Sharif to reach to Islamabad in order to take the oath.^[28][29] Sharif was sworn as Prime Minister in the early morning of on 17 February to serve a non-consecutive second term.^[30] With the passing of the 14th amendment, Sharif emerged as the most powerful elected Prime Minister in the country since its independence in 1947, and no other leader has enjoyed the his level of extreme popularity.^[28]

Atomic policy[link]

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.^[31] However, on September 17 of 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, ^[31]

On December 1, 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.^[31]

Under his leadership, the nuclear program had became vital part of Pakistan's economical policy as the program had became back-bone of economy of Pakistan in 1998.^[25] Sharif's willingness of signing the CTBT was seen as betraying country's atomic programme, and received intense criticism from Pakistan's opposition parties, as well as Pakistan Armed Forces.^[31] Scientists such as Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood and Abdul Qadeer Khan also lobbied against Sharif's willingness of signing the CTBT in public circles, and scientific community which both public and the scientific community widely disapproved his views.^[31]

1998 nuclear tests[link]

The executive authorization of Pakistan's nuclear testing programme was an important turning point in his political career that would bring his image in to world prominence. Soon, after the prime minister learned the surprise tests conducted by India, codename Pokhran-II in May 1998, though the media.^[4] Judging from country's economic situation and financial troubles, Sharif did not favor nor he opposed the authorization of the nuclear testing programme. According the former senior scientist dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Prime minister hesitant to authorized the atomic testing programme despite the Parliament gave him the go-ahead for the tests. But, Sharif came under pressure to authorize the atomic testing programme after the momentum began to build in Pakistan.^[4]

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 defense. In May 1998, soon after Indian nuclear tests, Sharif vowed that his country would give a suitable reply to the Indians.^[32] On May 14, Leader of the Opposition Benazir Bhutto and MQM publicly called for the nuclear tests and the public calls for the nuclear test as well began to take place in Pakistan.^[33] When India tested its nuclear weapons the second time, it caused a great alarm in Pakistan and pressure mounted to built on the Prime minister. On 15 May 1998, Sharif called and chaired a National Security Council meeting in Prime minister Secretariat.^[33] The Pakistan Armed Forces left the matter to elected Prime minister, though Prime minister Sharif put the Pakistan Armed Forces on high-alert.^[33] The discussions went on for a few hours and encompassed the financial, diplomatic, military, strategic and national security concerns.^[33] At this sensitive meeting, it has had two important agendas; first, whether or not Pakistan should conduct its nuclear tests in order to respond to Indian nuclear aggression. And, secondly, if the nuclear testing program does go ahead then which of the government science organizations— the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission or Kahuta Research Laboratories— conduct the nuclear testing as well as leading the nuclear testing program.

Mushahid Hussain Syed, Media Minister, was the first person to propose the tests, while, Sartaj Aziz who was the Treasure Minister that time, was the only person in the meeting who opposed the tests on financial grounds due to the economic recession, the low 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.^[33] When it comes to voting, the Prime Minister did not oppose or propose the tests.^[33] The remainder spoke in favor of conducting the tests.^[33] However according to Dr. A.Q. Khan, the Prime Minister was against nuclear tests and instead had done a deal with the United States wherby Pakistan would get substantial aid in exchange for not testing weapons.^[34] Former Chief of Army Staff Musharraf said "Nawaz Sharif was against conducting the tests but agreed under pressure from others".^[35]