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Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif (, 1949 in Lahore , Punjab , Pakistan ) is a Pakistan i politician. He was twice elected as Prime Minister Of Pakistan , serving two non-consecutive terms. His first term was from November 1 , 1990 to July 18 , 1993 , and his second term was from February 17 , 1997 to October 12 , 1999 . His Party is the Pakistan Muslim League N (Nawaz group). He is best known internationally for ordering his country’s 1998 nuclear tests in response to India’s nuclear tests, and the abrupt end of his final term in a dramatic coup by General Pervez Musharraf . EARLY LIFE From his mother's side, he traces his origin in Kashmir valley though his family migrated generations ago. His father, Muhammad Sharif, from village of Indian Punjab (Jati Umra near Amritsar ) migrated in 1947 to Pakistan, Mohammad Sharif was a businessman and co-owned the Ittefaq Group of Industries. Nawaz Sharif was educated at Saint Anthony’s High School and Government College Lahore , and later received a law degree from University Of The Punjab . Following his education, he entered Punjab provincial politics, joining the Punjab advisory council. He became finance minister of Punjab in 1981 and also served as minister of sports. He was credited with increasing funding for sports activities and rural projects. Story of Pakistan . Nawaz was also a Cricketer during his early life, and played a first class game in the 1973-74 season representing Pakistan Railways. He also played a side match against (West Indies) when he was Prime Minister. Chief Minister of Punjab Nawaz Sharif began his first term as Chief Minister of the province Punjab on April 9, 1985 under the Martial Law Regime of General Zia-ul-Haq , who was his political mentor. On May 31, 1988 he was appointed caretaker Chief Minister after the dismissal of assemblies by Zia-. After the 1988 general elections which followed Zia’s death in a plane crash, he was again elected as Chief Minister of Punjab. He remained in the position until he became prime minister in 1990. Nawaz Sharif was considered by some to be a man of the establishment. He was propped up as the Leader of the Pakistan Muslim League and subsequently the IJI ( Islami Jamhoori Ittehad ) by the ISI ( Inter-Services Intelligence ) as documented in the testimony of the then Army Chief in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The rise of Nawaz Sharif had to do with lack of leadership for Islamic minded right wing which could face PPP after sudden demise of Gen.Zia who led such groups . The cooperation of Zia's children in letting him get Gen Zia's votes and mantle helped him rise up . PRIME MINISTER He first became Prime Minister on November 1 , 1990 , running on a platform of conservative government and an end to corruption. His term was interrupted on April 18 , 1993 , when President Ghulam Ishaq Khan used the Reserve Powers vested in him by the Eighth Amendment to dissolve the National Assembly and appointed Mir Balakh Sher Mazari as the caretaker Prime Minister. Less than six weeks later, the Supreme Court overruled the President, reconstituting the National Assembly and returning Sharif to power on May 26 , 1993 . Sharif resigned from office along with President Ghulam Ishaq Khan on July 18 , 1993 , after his feud with the president, who had accused him of corruption. Moin Qureshi became caretaker prime minister, and was succeeded shortly thereafter by Benazir Bhutto , who was elected to office on October 19 , 1993 . Second term Nawaz was returned to power in February 1997 with such a huge majority that the result was immediately questioned by Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party . One of the first things Sharif did at the start of his second term was to orchestrate the scrapping of Article 58-(2)(b) through another Amendment to the Constitution - an exercise in which Sharif’s party was joined by all the other political parties in the National Assembly and Senate. The Thirteenth Amendment To The Constitution Of Pakistan was passed so that the President could no longer dismiss the Prime Minister; and the Fourteenth Amendment imposed strict '' Party Discipline '' on members of Parliament. Party leaders now had unlimited power to dismiss any of their legislators if they failed to vote as they were told. This made it all but impossible to dismiss a prime minister by a Motion Of No Confidence . In effect, the two amendments removed nearly all checks on the Prime Minister's power, since there was virtually no way for him to be legally dismissed. The Supreme Court was stormed on November 28 , 1997 . Nawaz Sharif had many things in common with Musharaf , he was egotistic , not very scholarly and some what liberal . His downfall coincided with his secular steps as abolishing Friday holidays , this distanced him from conservative religious right wing establishment without endearment to secular lobby which preffered PPP of Benazir . Even now his frequent assurance to west about continued cooperation is diminishing his popularity home in conservative circles who are looking for some body to face Musharaf -Benazir secular assault in the next elections .He is viewed by Pakistanis as a Patriot and a man of action if not a man of perfect vision . On the development front, Nawaz Sharif completed the construction of South West Asia's first Motorway , the 367 km M2, linking Lahore and Islamabad . The Motorway , which was initiated during Nawaz Sharif's first term, was inaugurated in November 1997 and was constructed at a cost of Rs 35.5 billion. The peak of his popularity came when his government undertook nuclear tests on 28 May 1998 in response to India's nuclear tests two weeks earlier. However, after these tests, matters started going downhill. He suspended many civil liberties, dismissed the Sindh provincial government and set up military courts when the stability of the government was threatened. During his first term as prime minister, Sharif had fallen out with three successive army chiefs: with General Mirza Aslam Beg over the 1991 Gulf War issue; with General Asif Nawaz over the Sindh ''"Operation Clean-Up"'' issue; and with General Wahid Kakar over the ''Sharif-Ishaq imbroglio''. Wahid Kakar is said to have hit a stick on Nawaz Sharif's fingres forcing him to sign the resignation as Nawaz sought time to take advise from his father with Kakar replying "You are the Prime Minister not your father". One reason that military is not too happy with his return is his guts to take on the military chiefs which no prime minister of Pakistan has been able to do except elder Bhutto in the limited post 1971 debacle period . At the end of General Waheed’s three-year term in January 1996, General Jehangir Karamat was appointed army chief. His term was due to end on January 9, 1999. In October 1998, however, true to form, Sharif fell out with General Karamat as well, over the latter’s advocacy of the need for the creation of a ''National Security Council'' in what Sharif believed was a conspiracy to return the military to a more active role in Pakistani politics. Jehangir Karamat was much later appreciated by Nawaz as a Gentleman . ( Karamat later served as Pakistan's ambassator to USA under Musharaf . He like other eminent personalities as Tariq Aziz of national security council , Manzoor Watoo a former chief minister of Punjab and Rawalpindi corp commander who stormed Hafsa share Families which have some members influenced by a religious movement in later 1800 in Punjab, none of the above claim to be belonging to that movement personally). In October 1998 General Karamat resigned and Sharif appointed General Pervez Musharraf as army chief. General Jehangir Karamat was seen as many a straight person whom compromised himself and stood for the wishes of the Prime Minister. Sharif would later regret appointing Pervez Musharraf to the Chief of Army position, as Musharraf would lead a coup to topple Sharif's government. Both Nisar Khan , a Nawaz league leader whose brother was defense secretary and Shehbaz sharif claim they arranged Musharaf's appointment . Nisar was later inturned . Pakistan's nuclear tests It was during this term that Pakistan carried out its successful nuclear tests on May 28 , 1998 , in response to the Indian detonation of five nuclear devices roughly two weeks before. The Nawaz Government justified the tests on national security grounds, as they demonstrated Pakistan's nuclear deterrent capabilities against an armed Indian Nuclear Program . Under Nawaz Sharif's leadership, Pakistan became the first Islamic country having Nuclear Power and became the 7th nation to become a Nuclear Power. The Nawaz Government proclaimed an emergency on May 28, 1998; the day these nuclear tests were conducted. All fundamental rights were suspended and all the foreign currency accounts in Pakistani banks were frozen to minimize the effects of economic sanctions. This move was not welcomed by all sections of depositors and further deteriorated the investors and peoples confidence. The foreign exchange reserves fell even further. His appointments in realms of foriegn affairs, finance and several other fields like Musharaf later were not the best stuff available but were political as is tradition . The Lahore Declaration In order to normalize relations between India and Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif undertook a major initiative in February 1999. This initiative culminated in a visit by the Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Lahore via bus, across the Wagah border, in 1999. Nawaz Sharif met him at the Wagah border and a joint communique, known as the Lahore Declaration, was signed between the two leaders. The Lahore Declaration spelled out various steps to be taken by the two countries towards normalizing relations. Kargil Conflict and aftermath The Kargil War in 1999 came to haunt the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. It was an international embarrassment and he came under American pressure to withdraw his troops after they intruded into Indian held territory backed by a few kashmiri militants. India reacted strongly and ordered its troops to oust the intruders which resulted in heavy casualties for both sides, especially for Pakistan. After India threatened to widen and escalate the scope of the conflict and move into Pakistani territory, Nawaz Sharif under pressure from Bill Clinton withdrew his troops unilaterally. Some believe that Sharif was responsible for initiating the intrusions -- though he claimed that Army chief Pervez Musharraf was the brain behind the operation. (Information gleaned later showed that Musharraf was instrumental in planning the Kargil and due to American and world pressure was forced to the ultimate withdrawal.) The retreat was not welcome in Pakistan and Sharif would later reveal that Pakistan had suffered more than 4,000 casualties. Growing fiscal deficits and debt-service payments, mainly due to American sanctions, led to a financial crisis. The government narrowly avoided defaulting on its international loans. With the country suffering from frequent power blackouts, Sharif directed the army in early 1999 to take control of the ''Water And Power Development Authority'' (WAPDA) of Pakistan, which had the adverse effect that many active and former military personnel were deployed as heads of civilian agencies. This trend continues to this day. MILITARY COUP With the public and press openly speculating about the possibility of a military takeover, Nawaz became increasingly insecure. On October 12 , 1999 , he removed Musharraf as army chief. Musharraf, who was out of the country, boarded a commercial airliner to return to Pakistan. Sharif ordered the Karachi airport to prevent the landing of the airliner, which then circled the skies over Karachi. The army ousted Sharif's administration and took over the airport. The plane landed with only a few minutes of fuel to spare, and Musharraf assumed control of the government. The Supreme Court validated the coup on the grounds that the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments destroyed all constitutional remedies for removing Musharraf from office. Nawaz was thrown in Prison and tried by Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Courts, which sentenced him to several Life Sentence s for Corruption , Hijacking , Tax Evasion , Embezzlement , and Terrorism in 2000. The military government agreed to commute his sentence from life in prison to exile in Saudi Arabia . His family moved with him. His wife and senior members of his party formed an anti-military coalition along with the Pakistan People's Party , previously the major opposition to Sharif's Muslim League. Nawaz and the PPP have only offered token resistance to President Musharraf's government. Efforts are mainly restricted to criticism through the media and trying to disrupt Parliament. Charges Nawaz Sharif's government was deposed from office by General Pervez Musharraf, who later declared himself the Chief Executive of Pakistan, effective Prime Minister -- as he did not dismiss the nation's then President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar but became President later retiring Tarar forecefully. Sharif was convicted in absentia of hijacking and terrorism after he blocked Pervez Musharraf from landing his plane anywhere in Pakistan , in lieu of dismissing him from his COAS post. The Supreme Court of Pakistan under oath of PCO declared Musharraf’s dismissal unconstitutional, as the COAS as a constitutional appointee is afforded due process before dismissal. The Supreme Court of Pakistan under the oath of PCO, upholding the position of the Army, disqualified Nawaz Sharif from holding any public office for 21 years, forbade his involvement in Pakistani politics, and fined him 20 million rupees. A plea bargain and intervention of the Saudi Royal Family spared Sharif from serving a prison term; instead he was exiled to the Saudi Kingdom, where he continues to live. Many people believe Nawaz Sharif left his party and workers alone and bargained his political activism for a royal lifestyle. He resided in Saudia in a palace in Jeddah where King Faisal used to live. He has also had opulent residences in Mecca & Medina. As of August 2007 Nawaz Sharif has been residing at Mayfair, London. He and his brother own a flat there, alongside other Arab elites. Located across the street from Hyde Park, the two bedroom flat is estimated to be worth over £3.5m. Some view Nawaz's return as part of Saudi Arabia's new foreign policy initiatives independent of Washington, likening it to its initiatives regarding Palestine. However, the Saudis have denied such assumptions in a roundabout manner. Incidentally, they are Sunnis like Nawaz Sharif. Benazir Bhutto does not fit into the Saudi mantle. 2007 events Musharraf on May 11 , 2005 declared that exiled political leaders, including Bhutto and Nawaz, would not be allowed to come back or participate in the general elections scheduled for 2007. Nawaz had been battling to obtain a Pakistani Passport . Recently he was able to obtain a temporary passport allowing him limited travel to the United Kingdom where his son was hospitalized in serious condition. A pact was signed between former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto in London on May 14. Whether this pact will pressure the current Government in Pakistan remains to be seen as both Bhutto and Sharif are facing charges of corruption and incompetence, and in the eyes of many Pakistanis their anti-government campaigns have been failures. In his recent media appearances, Nawaz has been seen with much more hair than he used to have (he was almost bald) prompting most people to believe that he has undergone a Hair Implantation procedure like his brother Shahbaz Sharif . Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif went to court in Pakistan to remove the restriction on their returning to Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan is of the view and had proven that both brothers had made an understanding with the government of Pakistan with Saudi Arabia as the guarantor that they would not return to Pakistan until 2010. These documents were produced before the court with the signatures of both Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif on August 22, 2007. On August 23, 2007, the and spending the last two weeks of Ramadan in Mecca .[http://www.andhranews.net/Intl/2007/August/24/Nawaz-Sharif-12952.asp "Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan after Ramazan"], ANI (andhranews.net), 24 August 2007. Nawaz Sharif is known to develop important contants at all times for financial gains returning them lavishly when in power. His close relations paid him off with the intervential from The Custodian Of The Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud . At this time Nawaz is said to be maintaining close contacts with Manchester based Pakistani millionaire Aneel Mussarat. Who is believed to be sponsoring all or large part of the APC (All PARTIES CONFRENCE) that took place in UK. Benazir Bhutto who vowed to return to her country “''very soon''” announced that she will discuss details of her return on 14 September even if there had been deal with Gen. Pervez Musharraf who is stepping down as army chief but will seek a new term as president. Sharif will return to challenge Gen. Musharraf.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6974083.stm BBC NEWS, Bhutto vows early Pakistan return] Nawaz Sharif has announced to return to Pakistan on 10th September via yet unfinalized flight and is supposed to land in Islamabad International airport on that day . The Musharaf Government is insisting that he keeps his vow of staying ten years outside Pakistan and has somehow managed to get possibly (original ) undertaking and presented it to the supreme court . Supreme court did not consider that deeply as constitution of Pakistan has no exile clause and right of residence is part of fundamental rights . Some Musharaf allies might have considered imposing emergency during hearing of the case hoping that fundamental rights under which he could return can then not be considered . However that was not done in decision making by the Supreme court . It was not finally imposed and supreme court upheld right of Sharif's return . It seems strange that the so called agreement shown by government did not seem to have been shown in enterity on TV as attestations or Judicial paper marks were absent on that agreement and there was no second party in that agreement i.e Saudis. Musharaf has hinted indirectly via ministers that Sharif will restart his sentencing originally reprieved once he breaks his vow and arrives in Pakistan . This is not legally possible as Nawaz's reprieve is also covered by 17th Amendment section 10 substitution of article 270-AA subsec 1-5, in the constitution of Pakistan and Supreme court has not withdrawn 17th amendment yet . With his return protected by supreme court decision and his reprieve protected by 17th amendment Nawaz's position is stronger than Benazir as withdrawn of cases in NAB etc by Musharaf government are not protected by any constitutional amendment as 17th amendment only covered decisions prior to date of its issue in decmeber 2003 . Musharaf is in poor position with regards to politicians as supreme court is hearing a petition against double post of Musharaf and 15th Sept -15th Oct 2007 is the month of electing president . With petition being heard several politicians might not align with him . Dissolution of assemblies under consitution of Pakistan has to be certified by courts , which offcourse is averse to Musharaf . Assemblies can extend its tenure however and Nawaz's representation is weak in current assemblies but that is not the case of his allies . Nevertheless like Musharaf Nawaz too is no longer in any commanding position . In the long absence of Nawaz Sharif from Pakistan several power groups have sprung up under local bodies system , while currently he has allies in the form of Jamaat Islamic , Imran Khan's party and an assortment of Pashtun and Baluch nationalists none are committed allies . Musharaf too has legal impediments to relection , a critical judiciary ,hostile media , and opposition by Baluch and Pashtun groups inaddition to religious establishment . His alleged order to kill Hafsa madrassa student girls ( suspected but not proved in extraordinary large number in Red mosque issue ) an act supported by Benazir has increased his distance with MMA(Islamic alliance) and limited his options for further politics . Some Pakistani journalists opine that USA , UK etc are more busy in setting matters straight concerning War on terror , Pakistani Nukes and next Army chief and such issues rather than being seriously worried about Musharaf's re-election. There are tabloid newspapers reports that PM Shaukat Aziz would like to dispose off judges via another L.F.O oath and that Musharaf's allies want to dissolve assemblies in order to avert any reversal of third time constitutional PM election bar on both Nawaz and Benazir . Such a move will also deny any constitutional way for Musharaf's reelection and encourage martial law imposition . First countrywide Martial law in Pakistan imposed by Sikander Mirza was enjoyed by Gen Ayub who ousted him . Similarly dissolution of assemblies by late Gen .Zia to oust PM junejo only eased Benazir's sudden arrival in an open field left as a result in 1988. On September 7, 2007, Judge Shabbir Hussain Chatha ordered Police to Arrest Shahbaz Sharif , brother of Nawaz Sharif and produce him before the Court , after the Hearing in Lahore . The court ruled that "'' Shahbaz Sharif should be arrested (at) whichever airport he lands at''." Nawaz Sharif too faces Detention on the pair's planned return from Exile to Pakistan on September 10, 2007, to challenge President Pervez Musharraf 's 8-year Military rule.[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/298441/1/.html Channel NewsAsia, Pakistan court orders arrest of Sharif's brother] recent issue which raises is nawaz sharif aggrement with saudi king pervez musharraf currently is giving much strees on this issue. REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS
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