Nawaz Sharif aspires to fourth term as premier
Pakistan
Nawaz Sharif has served as PM thrice before and became Punjab CM twice
By Ahad Khan
Early life and education
Nawaz Sharif was born in Lahore on Dec 25, 1949 into a business-oriented family of migrated Kashmiris of Jati Umra, Amritsar.
His father Mian Muhammad Sharif was an industrialist who established the Ittefaq Group of Industries.
He received his early education from Saint Anthony High School, Lahore. Nawaz Sharif received a bachelor degree in art and business from the Government College, Lahore.
He also obtained a law degree as a private candidate from the Law College of Punjab University, Lahore. He married Kulsoom Nawaz in 1971.
Lesser known facts
1) He tried his luck in cricket and acting but didn't pursue them as a career.
2) His family business was nationalised by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which propelled him to enter politics in 1976 by joining the Pakistan Muslim League.
3) He was brought into the Punjab Advisory Board by then governor Gen Ghulam Jilani who made him finance minister of Punjab in 1981.
4) Brig Qayuum was his first political mentor.
5) He became Punjab CM twice - first in 1985 as an independent candidate from Lahore and then in 1988 as IJI chief minister in Punjab.
6) He won National Assembly election from NA-86, Lahore in 1985 as an independent candidate and in 1988 from NA-95, Lahore as an IJI candidate but left his NA seats on both occasions to retain his provincial assembly seat for the CM.
7) Khawaja Asif was his classmate in Govt College, Lahore.
Imprisonment
The PML-N supremo was first incarcerated in 1999 after Gen Musharraf's coup which led to the imposition of martial law in Pakistan. A military court awarded him life sentence which was later curtailed to 14-year imprisonment.
But in 2001, after Saudi King Fahd's intervention, he was freed from jail and sent to an exile for 10 years in Saudi Arabia.
Exile
He remained in exile for almost seven years - 2000-2007.
Political career
The former PM was first inducted into Punjab cabinet as finance minister in 1981. Later, in 1985, he was elected as an independent candidate from PP-105 Lahore and became chief minister of Punjab.
After the death of President Zia in 1988, general elections were held in Pakistan and he became CM of IJI after winning the provincial assembly seat from PP-123 Lahore.
In 1990, he became prime minister after winning NA seat as IJI candidate from NA-95, Lahore.
In 1993, he resigned as PM after falling out with then president Ishaq Khan. Elections were held again in 1993 but this time he made his own faction of PML-N and was elected an MNA from NA-95 Lahore which led him to become opposition leader from 1993-1996.
After Benazir Bhutto was removed from power in 1996, Nawaz Sharif's PML-N got a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and Nawaz became PM after winning from the same NA-95, Lahore seat.
In 1999, the then chief of army staff Pervez Musharraf overthrew his government and imposed martial law in the country. He went into exile from 2000-2007 straight from jail. During exile, he signed a charter of democracy with the late Benazir Bhutto.
He came back to Pakistan in 2007 after an NRO with then president Musharraf but didn't take part in elections due to his disqualification. His party was victorious in Punjab and formed the government.
In 2013, the PML-N got a simple majority in elections and he was elected PM for the third time. He won from NA-120 Lahore this time.
Panama Papers
In 2017, he was removed from power after Panama Papers verdict by SC which disqualified him for life to run for elections. In July 2018, he was sent to jail after an accountability court sentenced him to 10-year prison in Al-Azizia reference and seven-year term in Avenfield reference. He spent a few months in jail during this time.
Second exile
In November 2019, he was allowed by LHC to go to the UK on medical grounds. He spent four years in self-imposed exile.
Exoneration
He came back to Pakistan in October 2023. He was acquitted in Avenfield apartment and Al-Azizia cases by the IHC.
2024 elections
He is contesting for the National Assembly seats from NA-15 (Mansehra) and NA-130 (Lahore).
Important takeaways from Nawaz Sharif's time in office as PM
1) Liberalisation of economy
2) Motorways construction
3) Nuclear tests were conducted during his second term in 1998 which turned Pakistan into an atomic power
4) Nifaz-e-Shairat Committee
5) Rangers operation in Karachi
6) Successful completion of IMF programme in his third term
7) APS attack
8) DawnLeaks
