Coordinates: 25°07′35″N 62°19′21″E / 25.12639°N 62.3225°E / 25.12639; 62.3225

Gwadar گوادر
—  City  —
Gwadar
Coordinates: 25°12′N 62°11′E / 25.2°N 62.19°E / 25.2; 62.19
Country	Pakistan
Province	Balochistan
Area
• Total	12,637 km2 (4,879 sq mi)
Population (1998)
• Estimate (2006[1])	53,080
Time zone	PST (UTC+5)
Calling code	086
Number of towns	1
Number of Union councils	5
Website	http://www.gda.gov.pk

Gwadar (Baloch and Urdu: گوادر; Arabic: جوادر‎) is a port city on the Arabian Sea in the south-west of Pakistan. It is the district capital of Gwadar District in Balochistan province as well as its winter capital.

Gwadar is strategically located at the apex of the Arabian Sea and at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman. The city's strategic, warm-water, deep-sea Gwadar Port was completed in 2007.^[2] The port is 14 metres (46 ft) deep and handles the largest cargo ships to Pakistan.^[2] The city is emerging as a trade hub and a transit for Chinese oil and timber imports and transshipments.^[2] The city has also been taking an increasing role in China's String of Pearls.^[2]

Gwadar is one of the few planned cities in Pakistan (others being Faisalabad, Jauharabad, and Islamabad), which have been developed from scratch under an urban master plan. Before development, the town was a fishing village.^[2]

History[link]

Pre-Islamic era[link]

Inhabitation of Gwadar, like most areas of Pakistan, appears to be ancient. The area shows inhabitation as early as the ancient Bronze age people where settlements existed around some of the area's oases. The Baloch people of this area originally referred to themselves as Moka or Maka. It is from this that word Makran, the original name of Balochistan is derived. The region was known to the Bactrians as Godar or Godar-shua (in [Pashto). It was this term that the Greeks Hellenzied to Gedrosia. Gedrosia then became a region of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. It is believed to have been conquered by the founder of the Persian Empire, Cyrus the Great. The capital of the satrapy of Gedrosia was Pura, which is thought to have been located near the modern Bampûr, in Iranian Balochistan. During the homeward march of Alexander the Great, his admiral, Nearchus, led a fleet along the modern-day Makran coast and recorded that the area was dry, mountainous, and inhabited by the "Ichthyophagoi" (or "fish eaters"), an ancient Greek rendering of the ancient Persian phrase "Mahi khoran" (which has itself become the modern word "Makran").^[3] After the collapse of Alexander's empire the area was ruled by Seleucus Nicator, one of Alexander’s generals. The region then came under indigenous rule around about 303 BCE.

Islamic rule[link]

The region remained on the sidelines of history for a millennium until the Arab-Muslim army of Muhammad bin Qasim captured Gwadar in 711 CE and over the intervening (and nearly equivalent) amount of time the area was contested by various powers, including the Mughals (from the east) and the Safavids (from the west).

Colonialism[link]

The Portuguese captured, sacked and burnt Gwadar in 1581.^[4]

Indigenous rule[link]

This was then followed by almost two centuries of local rule by the various Baloch tribes. The city was visited by Ottoman Admiral Seydi Ali Reis in 1550s and mentioned in his book Mirat ul Memalik (The Mirror of Countries), 1557.^[5] According to Seydi Ali Reis, the inhabitants of Gwadar were Baloch and their chief was Malik Jelaleddin, son of Malik Dinar.

Omani rule[link]

In 1783, the Khan of Kalat granted suzerainty over Gwadar to Taimur Sultan, the defeated ruler of Muscat.^[6] When the sultan subsequently retook Muscat, he was to continue his rule in Gwadar by appointing a wali (or "governor"). This wali was then ordered to subjugate the nearby coastal town of Chah Bahar (in modern-day Iran). The Gwadar fort was built during Omani rule, whilst telegraph lines were later extended into the town courtesy of the British.

Pakistan[link]

On 8 September 1958, Pakistan purchased the Gwadar enclave from Oman for $3 million. Gwadar officially became part of Pakistan on 8 December 1958. At the time, Gwadar was a small and underdeveloped fishing village with a population of a few thousand.

The Pakistani government integrated Gwadar into Balochistan province on 1 July 1977 as the district headquarters of the newly formed Gwadar District.

Gwadar Port

In the 1993, the Government of Pakistan formally conceived the plan to develop Gwadar into a major port city with a deep-sea port and connect it with Pakistan's highway and rail networks. On 22 March 2002, the Government of Pakistan began construction of Gwadar Port, a modern deep-sea port, the first phase of which was completed in December 2005. Gwadar Port became operational in December 2009.

The city underwent major construction from 2002-07.^[2] In 2002, Pakistan's National Highway Authority (NHA) began construction of the 653 km-long Makran Coastal Highway linking Gwadar with Karachi via Pasni and Ormara and onwards with the rest of the National Highways of Pakistan, which was completed in 2004. In 2003, the Gwadar Development Authority was established to oversee the planning and development of Gwadar and Gwadar Industrial Estate Development Authority was established to promote industrial activities in mega port city of Gwadar .^[7] In 2004, Pakistan's NHA began construction of the 820-km long M8 motorway linking Gwadar with Ratodero in Sindh province via Turbat, Hoshab, Awaran and Khuzdar and onwards with the rest of the Motorways of Pakistan. In 2006, the Gwadar Development Authority conceived, developed and adopted a 50-year Master Plan for Gwadar. In 2007, the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan acquired 4,300 acres (17 km²) to construct a new greenfield airport, the New Gwadar International Airport, on 6,000 acres (24 km²), at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.5 billion. China has funded 80% of the initial $248 million construction of the city.^[2]

However China has not announced being requested to operate the port by Pakistan.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Geography[link]

Gwadar is situated on the southwestern Arabian Sea coast of Pakistan in Gwadar District of Balochistan province. Like Ormara further east, Gwader is situated on a natural hammerhead-shaped peninsula forming two almost perfect but naturally curved semicircular bays on either side, namely the Gwadar West Bay and Gwadar East Bay. Gwadar is largely flat barren land with two hills, the Koh-e-Batil (maximum height 449 ft.) at the head of the hammerhead peninsula and Koh-e-Mehdi (maximum height 1,112 ft.) to the east of the city.

Climate[link]

Gwadar is 0–300 meters above sea level and is mainly dry, arid and hot. The oceanic influence keeps the temperature lower in summer and higher in winter as compared to the interior. The mean temperature in the hottest month (June) remains between 31°C and 32°. The mean temperature in the coolest month (January) varies from 18°C to 19°C. The uniformity of temperature is a unique characteristic of the Makran Coastal region. Occasionally, winds moving down the Balochistan plateau bring brief cold spells, otherwise the winter is pleasant. In Gwadar, winters are shorter than summers. Although Gwadar is situated outside the monsoon belt, it still receives light monsoon showers in summer. However, in winter, Western Disturbance can cause heavy rainfall. Annual rainfall is only 100mm (3 inches). In June 2010, Gwadar was lashed by Cyclone Phet with record-breaking rains of 372 mm and winds up to 75 mph.

Administration[link]

Gwadar is the district headquarters of Gwadar District and the tehsil (subdistrict) headquarters of Gwadar Tehsil. Gwadar Tehsil is administratively subdivided into five Union councils, three of which form Gwadar city, these are:^[12]

• Gwadar Northern
• Gwadar Central
• Gwadar Southern

Culture[link]

Gwadar's location and history have given it a unique blend of cultures. The Arabic influence upon Gwadar is strong as a consequence of the Omani era and its close proximity to the Arabian peninsula. The legacy of the Omanis is observed in the local Makrani population who can trace their lineage to Afro-Arabs and Zanj slaves, who have settled in the town during Omani rule. They have an Arab dance and music called Liwa which is also performed in the Arabian Peninsula.

Economy[link]

Fishing boats in Gwadar East Bay with the Koh-e-Mehdi Hills in the background

Gwadar's economy has, in the past, been dependant mostly on fishing. Gwadar's economy is undergoing rapid transformation as a small fishing village is being transformed into a major port city of Pakistan with improved links with the rest of Pakistan. In 1993, the Government of Pakistan commenced a feasibility study for the construction of a deep-sea port at Gwadar. On 22 March 2002, the Government of Pakistan began construction of Gwadar Port, a modern deep-sea port, the first phase of which was completed in December 2005. Gwadar Port became operational in December 2009. The 1400 km Trans-Afghan Gas Pipeline (TAP) from Turkemenistan to Gwadar(Pakistan), a long-dormant project that would pump Turkmen natural gas to markets in South Asia, may finally be poised to begin at a cost of $3 billion.^[13] The Government has announced that a massive defense facility will be constructed in the city in order to guarantee the security of the area. The Government has also announced that a new shipbuilding centre will be built at Gwadar, with an as-yet unspecified international partner.

See also[link]

• Ormara
• Gwadar International Airport
• Gwadar Bay

References[link]

External links[link]

• Gwadar Development Authority
• Gwadar Port
• Provincial Government of Balochistan

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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]

Nuclear physicist Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and metallurgical engineer Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan of Kahuta Research Laboratories equally presented their point of views, and approached for the permission from the Prime minister.^[33] The meeting concluded without any resolution of the two agenda points. On May 16, senior scientist dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan had briefed the prime minister on key weapon-grade explosives issues and also briefed on the latest situation on Pakistan's different weapon-testing laboratories at that time.^[32] On the morning of 17 May 1998, Sharif summoned Ishfaq Ahmad and asked him for his opinion on two points discussed on 15 May.^[33] Dr. Ahmed told the Prime Minister that the decision to test or not to test was that of the Government of Pakistan.^[33] Ahmad also acknowledged that PAEC was ready for the capability of carrying out the tests.^[33] Sharif then concluded that eyes of the world were focused on Pakistan and failure to conduct the tests would put the credibility of the Pakistan's nuclear deterrence programme in doubt.^[33] Dr. Ahmad then said, "Conducting a nuclear test is a highly political decision, and no matter the wish of scientific community may be, the political leadership of the country will have its say.... Mr. Prime Minister, take a [decision], then I give you the [g]uarantee of success."^[33] Initially, the Prime minister waited to see the world reaction on India's nuclear tests, while observing the embargo placed on Indian economy, which had no placed no effects.^[36] Prime minister Sharif, at first, was hesitant towards the nuclear test program and its economical turn out if the tests are ordered.^[36] Few days after the Indian tests, Indian Home Minister Lal Kishanchand Advani and Defence Minister George Fernandes issued foolish taunts and threatening statements towards Pakistan, which angered the prime minister.^[36]

On May 18, Prime minister Sharif ordered PAEC to make preparation for the tests, but remain on stand-by for the final decision.^[33] In his own words, Sharif called dr. Ishfaq Ahmad and ordered him, "Conduct the explosion!".^[4] Simultaneously, Sharif's ordered, the XII Corps, Southern Naval Command, National Logistics Cell, and No. 6 Squadron Globe Trotters were put on high-alert to provide the necessary support to the PAEC in this regard.^[4] On May 21, Sharif issued orders to conduct nuclear tests as a suitable reply to India, and authorized the nuclear weapon testing program the same day.^[36] A Boeing-737 airline from Pakistan International Airlines was readily made available for PAEC scientists, engineers, and technicians to Balochistan.^[33]

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and scientists and engineers from KRL were also told to be stay alert and were also sent to Balochistan along with PAEC.^[33] Pakistan carried out its successful nuclear tests on 28 May 1998 (codename Chagai-I), and on 30 May 1998 (codename Chagai-II), in response to the Indian detonation of six nuclear devices roughly two weeks before.^[4][33] After these test, the Prime minister appeared on Pakistan Television Corporation and took the nation on confidence and addressed the world:

If [Pakistan] had wanted, she (Pakistan) would have conducted nuclear tests 15-20 years ago.... but the abject poverty of the people of the region dissuaded... [Pakistan] from doing so. But the [w]orld, instead of putting pressure on (India)... not to take the destructive road.... imposed all kinds of sanctions on [Pakistan] for no fault of her..... If (Japan) had its own nuclear capability.. (cities of)... Hiroshima and Nagasaki would not have suffered atomic destruction at the hands of the... United States.

—Nawaz Sharif—Prime minister, on May 30, 1998, televised at PTV, ^[37]

Economical effects of tests[link]

After weeks of anticipation, Pakistan surprised the world by conducting its own nuclear tests.^[33] Sharif's popularity in Pakistan increased. While he was being hailed as nationalist, Sharif proclaimed an emergency on the same day as these nuclear tests were conducted, which dismayed the public. All foreign currency accounts in Pakistani banks were frozen to minimize the effects of economic sanctions. This was detrimental to the account holders.

He put the Pakistan Armed Forces on high alert in order to defend country's nuclear installations. He justified the tests on national security grounds, as they demonstrated Pakistan's nuclear deterrent capabilities against an armed Indian nuclear programme. Under his premiership, Pakistan became the first Muslim country and seventh nation to become a nuclear power.^[33]

Political effects of tests[link]

In spite of the intense international criticism and the steady decline in foreign investment and trade, these six nuclear tests were popular domestically and the Sharif's popularity and the PML (N)'s prestige rose in response.^[33] After appearing on national television and taking the nation of confidence, the tests were greeted with great jubilation and large-scale approval of Sharif's decision by the civil society.^[38] On May 30, Sharif appeared after immediately the tests, and informed the world, "Today, we have settled a score and have carried out six successful nuclear tests".^[4] Newspapers and television channels praised Sharif and his government for its bold decision; editorials were full of praise for the country's leadership and advocated the development of an operational nuclear deterrence for the country, despite a small scale anti-nuclear sentiments criticized the nuclear testings which was forcefully silenced by the emerging public opinion favoring Sharif and the nuclear tests.^[38] Soon after the atomic tests on 1515hrs (May 28) and 1315hrs (May 30), Sharif immediately called for a joint-parliamentary session at Parliament House Building on emergency basis calling all of the public legislators to the Parliament from the entire country to gather at the Parliament, where Sharif would take the parliament on confidence after presenting a short speech.^[37]

On the day of atomic testing, the military and public policy makers, lawmakers and legislators, senior journalists, and the influential members of the civil society at the Parliament strongly chaired for the tests, loud slogans and songs of "Pakistan Zindabad" (long live Pakistan) were sung, and the tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was heavily paid by the parliamentarians from all political parties of Pakistan.^[33] The parliamentarians and the Leader of the Opposition Benazir Bhutto had also congratulated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Armed Forces thanking for making its "bold decision" in spite of whatever the economical outcomes were.^[37] Political scientist and geostrategist Javed Hashmi was clearly heard saying: "Yes! Yes!.... We have done it.", while he was tapping his parliament desk. The Peoples Party also chaired this moment when Ameen Faheem was heard saying: "We gave the same medicines to [Indians].". On its effects on India, the politicians in Indian parliament erupted into shouting as opposition leaders blamed the government for starting a nuclear arms race.^[4]

The Pakistan Academy of Sciences also thanked Sharif and his government for having been given the opportunity to prove their capabilities.^[38] As in return, Sharif established the National Center for Theoretical Physics (NCTP) and inaugurated the Abdus Salam Museum in 1999.^[38] According to Benazir Bhutto who calculated her rival's level of political popularity after ordering the tests asserted, that these tests had erased the existed doubts and fear from the minds of people of Pakistan who questioned Pakistan's deterrence capability after 1971 collapse.^[39] Even as of today, Sharif and his party takes all the credit for authorizing these tests, and annually held celebrating public functions in all over the country. Without any doubts, Sharif posed to became Pakistan's most favorable and strongest Prime minister since 1974, and the political prestige of Nawaz Sharif was at its peak point at the time when the country had gone nuclear.^[38]

The nuclear tests remained highly popular in Pakistan which many in Pakistan saw as dignified status for the Pakistan in the world community. Despite disagreement with Sharif, his rivals and opposition parties backed Sharif and congratulated him for his "bold decision".^[37]

Space programme[link]

Due to economic distress, Sharif halted the national space programme, and refused to allot any funds due to his government was struggling to provide funds for more extended programmes. Unlike Benazir who continued the space programme despite economic slow down, the Space Research Commission was forced to delayed the launch of its well-developed satellite, Badr-II(B) which was completed in 1997. Delaying the satellite's launch caused frustration of the scientific community who openly criticized Prime minister's inability to promote science in the country. Senior scientists and engineers attributed this failure as "Sharif's personal corruption" that effected the national security of the country. It was not until 2001, two years science Sharif was dismissed; the satellite was finally launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome December 10, 2001 at 0915hrs by Space Research Commission.

Foreign policy[link]

Sharif strengthened relations with Muslim world, Turkey, and Europe.^[40] The year he was elected, Sharif made a state visit to Malaysia and Singapore where Sharif succeeded to signed a economic and free trade agreements with both countries.^[40] It was a a trilateral trade bloc in South Asia and Premiers of Singapore, Malaysia, and Pakistan had successfully signed the agreement.^[40] Following the agreement, the work on comprehensive frame work to enhance collaboration in defense, economic and private sector was launched and completed in 1998.^[40] One of the core issue was the Malaysia's agreement on sharing its space technology to Pakistan.^[40] Both Malaysia and Singapore assured their support for Pakistan to join Asia–Europe Meeting.^[40] However, it was not until 2008, Pakistan and India became part of the treaty.^[40]

Sharif in the Washington D.C. to meet with William S. Cohen in 1998.

On January 1998, Prime minister Sharif paid a state visit to South Korea, where he successfully signed the bilateral and economical agreements with South Korean President Kim Young-sam.^[40] Sharif also urged the North Korea to make peace and improve its ties with South Korea, his statement caused a diversion in Pakistan-North Korea relations.^[40] On April 1998, Sharif went on to visit Italy, Germany, Poland, and Belgium to promote economic ties.^[40] He said in Brussels at an official reception, "We [Pakistan] [s]eek understanding and cooperation with Europe".^[40] He signed a number of agreements to enlarge economic cooperation with Italy and Belgium, besides an agreement with European Union (EU) for the protection of intellectual, industrial and commercial property rights.^[40] In February 1997, the Prime Minister had meeting with Jiang Zemin, the Chinese President and Li Peng, the Premier, for economic cooperation.^[40] Two conferences were specially organised in Beijing and Hongkong to promote Chinese investment in Pakistan.^[40]

However, Sharif's effort seemed to be wasted when Sharif ordered the nuclear tests on 1998. Following these tests, the Foreign policy of Pakistan was much in trouble position since its 1971 disaster.^[40] Pakistan, at United Nations, failed to gather any support from its allies.^[40] Trade agreements were abrogated by Europe, United States, and Asian bloc.^[40] While, Sharif was praised to carried out tests domestically. Sharif was heavily criticized for ordering internationally.^[40] Pakistan's nuclear weapons and energy programme was targeted on multiple times over its involvement for spreading the nuclear proliferation. United Arab Emirates and Saudia Arabia, however did not criticized Pakistan but both neither issued any statement.^[40] On 7 June 1998, Sharif went to visit UAE for talks on the situation in South Asia after nuclear tests in the region.^[40] He thanked the Government for their support after India conducted five nuclear tests on May 11 and 13.^[40] The major shift in his conservative foreign policy was notice on June 11, 1998, when Nawaz Sharif authorized a secret meeting of Pakistan Ambassador to United Nations Inam-ul-Haq and Pakistan Ambassador to the United States Dr. Maliha Lodhi, to chair a meeting with their Israeli counterparts, the Israel Ambassador to the United States Eliyahu Ben-Elissar and the Israel Ambassador to United Nations Dore Gold, at a seven star hotel in New York, United States.^[31] The Prime minister sent a secret courier to Israel and to his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu (now current Prime minister), though his diplomats, where Pakistan assured Israel that Pakistan will not transfer nuclear technology or materials to Iran or to other Middle Eastern countries.^[31] On June 1998, Israel had directed a secret courier to Pakistan that Israeli officials had feared that Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi's visit to Pakistan shortly after its May 1998 nuclear weapons tests was a sign that Pakistan was preparing to sell nuclear technology to Iran.^[31]

In 1999, he met with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Wagah border and signed a joint communique, known as the Lahore Declaration.^[41]

Since both countries had ordered their nuclear tests, both Prime ministers proceeded towards maintaining peace and security.^[42] In 1998, both governments signed an agreement recognizing the principle of building an environment of peace and security and resolving all bilateral conflicts, which became the basis of the Lahore Declaration.^[42] On February 1, 1999, Prime minister Sharif made a breakthrough with India when he invited his counter part to Pakistan. On February 19, Indian premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee paid a historic state visit to Pakistan traveling on the inaugural bus service connecting the Indian capital of New Delhi with the major Pakistan's cultural city of Lahore, establishing a major transport link for the peoples of both nations.^[42] On February 21, both Prime ministers signed the bilateral agreement with a memorandum of understanding to ensure the nuclear-free safety in South Asia.^[42] This bilateral agreement was widely popular in Pakistan and India onwards, the people of Pakistan supported the Prime minister's move and the Prime minister received wide appreciation from the opposition as well as the civil society.^[42] This agreement known as Lahore Declaration, it was widely assumed to development of nuclear weapons brought added responsibility to both nations towards avoiding conflict and promoted the importance of Confidence-building measures, especially to avoid accidental and unauthorised use of nuclear weapons.^[42] To some Western observers, this treaty was more like as of SALT Treaties signed by both superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States.^[43]

Constitution Amendment[link]

In late August 1998, he proposed a law to establish a legal system based on the Islamic principles.^[44] His proposal came a week after 10-year commemorations of the late President Zia ul-Haq. The Cabinet removed some of its controversial aspects.^[45][46] The National Assembly approved and passed the bill on 10 October 1998 by 151 votes to 16.^[47] With majority in Parliament, Sharif drove Pakistan's political system more onto parliamentary system, reverting the previous semi-presidential system and laws fondly enjoyed by President.^[47] With passing these amendments, Sharif became the strongest prime minister that the country has ever seen since its independence.^[47] However, these amendments failed to achieve two-thirds majority in the Senate, which was still was under control by Pakistan Peoples Party. Weeks afterward, Sharif's government would suffer a military coup, therefore these amendments went to cold storage after Pervez Musharraf replaced them with his 2002 LFO, putting back the country to semi-presidential system. However, in 2010, Pakistan Parliament unanimously passed the 18th Amendment, which was passed by both in National Assembly and Senate, putting back the country to the road to parliamentary system.

Issues with judiciary[link]

During his second term, Sharif mounted problems with the Supreme Court— an apex judicial authority. Sharif's Fourteenth Amendment had prohibited legislators and lawmakers from dissenting or voting against their own parties.^[48] The XIV Amendment also contained the clause that the offending legislators could not seek relief through Judiciary, and the right of appeal was provoked by the XVI Amendment.^[48] When legislators of different parties took the case Supreme Court, Sharif was furious and frustrated with the actions of the Supreme Court.^[48] Sharif openly criticized Chief Justice Sajad Alishah, inviting a notice of contempt.^[48] After the military and the President reached to Sharif to avoid a constitution crises, Sharif agreed the solve the issue amicably, but was determined to out Chief Justice Sajad Alishah.^[48]

Sharif manipulated the ranks of senior judges, deposing two judges close to Chief Justice.^[48] The deposed judges challenged Sharif's orders on procedural grounds by filing a petition at Quetta High Court on November 26, 1997.^[48] The Chief Justice was restrained by his fellow judges from adjudicating in the case against the Prime minister.^[48] On November 28, Sharif as Prime minister appeared in the Supreme Court where he justified his actions calling it constitutional, and citing evidences that were obtained by Sharif at the Quetta High Court junior judges against the two judges Sharif had deposed.^[48] After looking at the evidences, Chief Justice Sajad Ali Shah suspended the decision of Quetta High Court, but soon the Peshawar High Court issued similar order removing Chief Justice's closest judges.^[48] The Associate Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, Justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui declared himself as acting Chief Justice.^[48]

Attack on Supreme Court[link]

Chief Justice Sajad Ali Shah, however, continued to assert his authority and persisted the hearing of Sharif's case.^[48] On November 30, 1997, while the hearing of case was proceeded, Sharif's cabinet ministers and large number of his supporters entered in the Supreme Court building, halting and disrupting the proceedings.^[48] The Chief Justice asked the military to send the military police, and subsequently struck down the Thirteenth (XIII) Amendment thereby restoring the power of the President.^[48] But, this move backed fired on the Chief Justice when the military backed the Prime minister and refused to obey the President's orders to remove Sharif.^[48] The Prime minister forced President Farooq Leghari to resign, and appoint Wasim Sajjad as acting President.^[48] After the President's removal, Sharif ousted Chief Justice Sajad Ali Shah to end the constitutional crises once for all.^[48]

2006 formal apology[link]

On November 29, 2006, Nawaz Sharif and the member of his party issued a public apology to former Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and the former president Farooq Leghari for their actions.^[49] His party's member paid a farewell visit to the residence of Chief Justice Ali Shah where they presented a written apology to him; later in Parliament, his party issued white paper formally apologizing for there wrong doing in 1997.^[50]

Policy on anti-terrorism[link]

During the Benazir Bhutto's period, the country suffered the terrorist attack on Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad that led the rift between relationship between Pakistan and Egypt. He took initiatives against terrorism when on 17 August 1997, he passed the controversial Anti-Terrorist Act which established Anti-Terrorism Courts.^[28] The Supreme Court later rendered the Act unconstitutional. However, Sharif made few amendments, and received the permission of Supreme Court to established these courts.^[28] However, it was the Anti-Terrorism Courts that were used by General Pervez Musharraf to prosecute Nawaz Sharif in alleged terrorism/hijacking case in 1999.

Relations with the military[link]

Prime minister Navaz Sharif in the White House, 1998.

From the 1981 until the military coup against him in 1999, Sharif enjoyed a strong and extremely friendly and cordial relations with the Pakistan Armed Forces — the only civilian leader to have cordial friendship and relationships with the military's establishment at that time.^[8] Sharif pressed his tough rhetoric actions and repeatedly violates the constitution as well as the military code of conduct.

He later had severe political confrontation with in 1999 when he tried to replace General Musharraf with generals loyal to him that resulted in a coup d'état which removed him from office.^[8] At the end of General Wahied Kakar's three-year term in January 1996, General Jehangir Karamat was appointed Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Army.^[8] His term was due to end on 9 January 1999.^[8] However, in October 1998 Sharif had a falling out with General Karamat over the latter’s advocacy of a "National Security Council".^[8] Sharif interpreted this move to be a conspiracy to return the military to a more active role in Pakistan politics.^[8]

In 1999, after Sharif's removal, the National Security Council was indeed established by his successor.^[8] In October 1998, General Karamat resigned and Sharif promoted Lieutenant-General Pervez Musharraf, then core-commander of the I Strike Corps that time, as 4-star general and appointed him as new Chief of Army Staff.^[8] Sharif then also appointed General Musharraf as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee despite Musharraf's lack of seniority to Admiral Bokhari.^[8] In protest, Admiral Fasih Bokhari resigned from his post as Chief of Naval Staff.^[8]