ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) traces its political roots to the All-India Muslim League and the centuries-long political struggle of Muslims in South Asia, highlighting its role in the movement for a separate homeland and subsequent political developments in Pakistan.
The All-India Muslim League was formed on December 30, 1906, when Muslim leaders from across India assembled in Dacca and decided to establish a political organisation to safeguard the interests of Muslims under colonial rule.
In 1930, Allama Muhammad Iqbal presented the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia to address their political and economic challenges while addressing the annual conference of the All-India Muslim League.
Under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the All-India Muslim League adopted the historic Pakistan Resolution in Lahore on March 23, 1940, pledging to struggle for the establishment of an independent state.
Within seven years, the Muslim League achieved the creation of Pakistan through a political and democratic struggle, with Pakistan emerging as an independent country on August 14, 1947.
Following independence, the All-India Muslim League was renamed the Pakistan Muslim League. The party's leadership guided the country through the difficult initial years after independence. However, democratic rule was disrupted in the 1950s, eventually leading to the imposition of martial law in 1958.
The Pakistan Muslim League faced difficult periods during successive martial law regimes and was reduced to a limited political role. Under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, however, the party re-emerged as one of the country's major political forces in the 1990 elections.
In the October 1993 elections, the party secured the largest share of the popular vote. In February 1997, it secured a two-thirds majority in the general elections and became the only political party to win representation in all provinces.
During its governments, the PML-N introduced reforms in different sectors of the economy and society. Its first tenure focused on pro-business measures involving deregulation, liberalisation and privatisation.
During its second tenure, financial sector reforms were introduced, including greater autonomy for the State Bank of Pakistan, changes to state-controlled banks and the introduction of professional management. Reforms were also undertaken in capital markets and the agriculture sector.
The government also launched public welfare and grassroots development initiatives under the Tameer-e-Watan programmes aimed at creating employment opportunities.
A number of major infrastructure and development projects were also launched, including airports in Karachi and Lahore, motorways, the dualisation of national highways, Kohat Tunnel, Makran Coastal Highway, Gwadar deep-sea port, Ghazi-Barotha Hydel Project and Chashma Nuclear Power Plant.
Other initiatives included the development of digital and fibre-optic telecommunications networks, free treatment for poor kidney patients, labour colonies, distribution of state land among landless people, construction of thousands of kilometres of farm-to-market roads, electrification of villages and projects for the development and conservation of water resources.
The PML-N leadership also credits its government with Pakistan's decision to conduct nuclear tests on May 28, 1998, making the country a nuclear power amid international pressure.
On October 12, 1999, the elected PML-N government was overthrown in a military takeover. The party subsequently launched a political struggle under Nawaz Sharif, describing its efforts as a campaign for the restoration of democracy, constitutional supremacy and democratic institutions.
The PML-N says its political struggle and principled position have made the party a symbol of efforts aimed at restoring genuine democracy in Pakistan.