NAWAZ SHARIF

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, commonly known as Nawaz Sharif, is a prominent Pakistani politician who has played a significant role in the country's political landscape for several decades. Born on December 25, 1949, in Lahore, Punjab Province, Nawaz Sharif has served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan three times, from 1990 to 1993, 1997 to 1999, and briefly in 2013 before being disqualified.

Sharif comes from a prominent industrialist family and entered politics in the 1980s under the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq. He rose to prominence as a protege of General Zia and was appointed Chief Minister of Punjab in 1985. As Chief Minister, he implemented several infrastructure projects and initiatives that contributed to his popularity.

In 1990, Nawaz Sharif became Prime Minister of Pakistan for the first time after his Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) party won the general elections. His first term in office was marked by economic liberalization, privatization, and infrastructure development. However, his government faced challenges, including allegations of corruption and conflicts with the military.

After being removed from power in 1993 by then-President Ghulam Ishaq Khan, Sharif returned to office in 1997 following another electoral victory. During his second term, he focused on infrastructure development, particularly in the transportation sector, with projects such as the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway. However, his government also faced criticism for its handling of the Kargil conflict with India.

In 1999, Nawaz Sharif's government was ousted in a military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf, and he was subsequently imprisoned on charges of hijacking and corruption. He spent several years in exile in Saudi Arabia before returning to Pakistan in 2007 to participate in politics once again.

Nawaz Sharif's political career continued to be marked by controversies, including allegations of corruption and clashes with the judiciary. Despite this, he remained a prominent figure in Pakistani politics and led his party to victory in the 2013 general elections. However, his third term as Prime Minister was marred by tensions with the military and allegations of corruption, leading to his disqualification by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2017.

Sharif's political career has been characterized by his confrontations with the military establishment, his efforts to strengthen civilian democracy, and his vision for economic development in Pakistan. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, he remains a polarizing figure in Pakistani politics, with a significant base of support in Punjab, the country's most populous province.

Reference:

- Wikipedia. "Nawaz Sharif." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nawaz_Sharif]