Nawaz Sharif (born 1949) led his party to victory and became the prime minister of Pakistan in 1990.Supporters claim his political success lay in his business background. While most of Pakistan's political players were of the landed elite, Sharif's family built its fortune on a steel smelting factory. He took full advantage of his industrialist credentials, using a liberal reformist stance to attract votes from the business class.
Niam Nawaz Sharif was born in Lahore, Pakistan on December 25, 1949, one year after the new nation's founding. He came from a family of industrialists who made their fortune in the politically significant province of Punjab. His father and six uncles controlled and operated an iron foundry in Amritsar. Sharif graduated from the Government College of Lahore, a recruiting source for the civil service. He received his bachelor of law degree from the Punjab University Law College, also in Lahore. Sharif helped establish the Ittefaq Islamic Academy in Lahore, where students receive religious instruction in addition to their secular training. A practicing Moslem, Sharif comes from a religious family and has said he would make the teaching of the Koran, the Moslem holy book, a compulsory subject up to the secondary level.
Sharif and his male cousins expanded his father's iron foundry only to lose it to a 1972 nationalization policy launched by the former prime minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It was re-established in 1977 as Ittefaq Industries in Lahore. The business was returned after Sharif developed political links with then-president, Mohammad Zia ul-Haq. It was General Zia who brought down Bhutto in 1975, executing him two years later on charges of conspiracy. By 1990, Ittefaq Industries was one of Pakistan's most affluent conglomerates, with more than $450 million in annual revenues, up from about $16 million in 1981. It included the country's largest private steel mill, a sugar mill, and four textile factories. With upwards of ten thousand employees, Ittefaq has played a significant role in the development and growth of industry in Pakistan. It has likely influenced Sharif's political career and pro-business stance as
Began Political Career
Sharif began his political career in the early 1980s, while serving as director of the Ittefaq Group of Industries. In 1981, Sharif was appointed finance minister of Punjab Province by the Zia government. He used his newfound political authority to promote his pro-business stance and presented four successive development-oriented budgets targeting the improvement of socio-economic conditions in rural areas. Sharif raised the appropriation of funds for the development of these rural areas to nearly 70 percent of the province's annual development program. Four years later, Sharif became the Punjab's chief minister in a general election. He now had a great deal of influence over the province's industrial and agricultural power.
Became Prime Minister
Sharif's perseverance and political clout placed him in the vanguard of Bhutto adversaries. He proceeded to crush Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in the October 1988 election. Sharif was elected a Member of Parliament in the October 24, 1990 general elections, after leading a ten-party Islamic Democratic Alliance (IDA), an affiliation of liberal groups and rightist Islamic militants. On November 3, he was nominated by the IJI as its candidate for the premiership and was soon after sworn in as Pakistan's new prime minister. For three months prior to his victory Pakistan's top generals, bureaucrats and business leaders had been systematically stripping Bhutto's PPP of nearly all political power.
Ousted from Parliament
Sharif became the target of many of the traditional landed interests, including Bhutto, because his policies deeply affected Pakistan's political and economic power structure. But his ouster came with an attempt to weaken the power of President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Sharif had long been considered compliant, willing to quietly take orders from the president, but the two had clashed over reports of corruption in Sharif's government. The president dismissed Sharif in April 1993, after months of political turmoil.
Re-elected in Landslide Victory
On February 17, 1997, Sharif led the PML to a landslide victory (177-16), crushing Bhutto in the process. Sharif's Muslim League won a decisive parliamentary victory, winning 134 seats in the 217-seat parliament. Bhutto's PPP was second, winning 18 seats. The PML commanded around 165 seats when combined with its small-party allies, giving it a solid working majority. He stepped into office with the responsibility of reviving a crisis-laden economy. Domestically, Sharif was faced with boosting an economy plagued by budget deficits, 30 billion dollars of foreign debts, high inflation, and a nation with very high expectations for relief and a clean administration. On foreign affairs, he faced tensions with India and festering dissension in Afghanistan.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Sharif, Bhutto and the (Ex-) General
The triumphal return of Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister that Gen. Pervez Musharraf overthrew in 1999, has made the contest for Pakistan’s future more uncertain than it already was and injected another plaMr. Sharif presents himself as an uncompromising champion of democracy and constitutional rule, but his years in office tell a different and more troubling story — one of corruption, high-handedness and attempts to bully independent journalists and jurists.
What makes Mr. Sharif so formidable today is not his record, but the strong backing of Saudi Arabia. The Saudis have long been powerful political and economic players in Pakistan, and they have championed politicians and parties inclined to favor Saudi-style Sunni fundamentalism. It was apparently at Saudi insistence that Mr. Musharraf let Mr. Sharif return home, after having sent him back on his previous attempt in September.
Mr. Sharif’s chief civilian rival is Benazir Bhutto, another former prime minister. Though her own years in office were also seriously marred by corruption, Ms. Bhutto is a somewhat more plausible champion of secularism, democracy and a real fight against Al Qaeda and Taliban bases on Pakistani soil. The Saudis do not relish her returning to power.
Ms. Bhutto’s cause has been damaged by inept and clumsy American support. By clinging too long to Mr. Musharraf, and by pressing Ms. Bhutto to negotiate with him, the Bush administration has weakened its influence in Pakistan.
For now, Mr. Musharraf remains in charge. After rigging his re-election as president, he finally made good on his often-voiced promise to retire from the military. Yesterday, he turned over his command to his successor — one day before he was sworn in for a new five-year term. His powers, in theory, should be reduced, but he has made it clear that he won’t give up easily. He has set parliamentary elections for January. If the emergency rule imposed by him remains in place, it would make a free and fair contest impossible.
Despite these obstacles, both Mr. Sharif and Ms. Bhutto have filed to run, while demanding an end to emergency rule and threatening to boycott the polls if it is not lifted. That is a sound strategy. There is nothing to be gained by promising Mr. Musharraf and his allies a free ride.
Their next step should be joining forces to maximize opposition strength and help assure the dictatorship’s defeat. It is not too late for Ms. Bhutto to repair her democratic credentials and for Mr. Sharif to establish his.
yer into the game: Saudi Arabia.More Articles in Opinion »
What makes Mr. Sharif so formidable today is not his record, but the strong backing of Saudi Arabia. The Saudis have long been powerful political and economic players in Pakistan, and they have championed politicians and parties inclined to favor Saudi-style Sunni fundamentalism. It was apparently at Saudi insistence that Mr. Musharraf let Mr. Sharif return home, after having sent him back on his previous attempt in September.
Mr. Sharif’s chief civilian rival is Benazir Bhutto, another former prime minister. Though her own years in office were also seriously marred by corruption, Ms. Bhutto is a somewhat more plausible champion of secularism, democracy and a real fight against Al Qaeda and Taliban bases on Pakistani soil. The Saudis do not relish her returning to power.
Ms. Bhutto’s cause has been damaged by inept and clumsy American support. By clinging too long to Mr. Musharraf, and by pressing Ms. Bhutto to negotiate with him, the Bush administration has weakened its influence in Pakistan.
For now, Mr. Musharraf remains in charge. After rigging his re-election as president, he finally made good on his often-voiced promise to retire from the military. Yesterday, he turned over his command to his successor — one day before he was sworn in for a new five-year term. His powers, in theory, should be reduced, but he has made it clear that he won’t give up easily. He has set parliamentary elections for January. If the emergency rule imposed by him remains in place, it would make a free and fair contest impossible.
Despite these obstacles, both Mr. Sharif and Ms. Bhutto have filed to run, while demanding an end to emergency rule and threatening to boycott the polls if it is not lifted. That is a sound strategy. There is nothing to be gained by promising Mr. Musharraf and his allies a free ride.
Their next step should be joining forces to maximize opposition strength and help assure the dictatorship’s defeat. It is not too late for Ms. Bhutto to repair her democratic credentials and for Mr. Sharif to establish his.
yer into the game: Saudi Arabia.More Articles in Opinion »
Nawaz Sharif the Leader
Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League, was the country's prime minister for nine years before Gen. Pervez Musharraf ousted him in a bloodless coup in 1999.
General Musharraf denounced Mr. Sharif as corrupt and said that Mr. Sharif had attempted to block a plane carrying him and 198 civilian passengers from landing. In 2000, the former prime minister went on trial, charged with hijacking and attempted murder. During the trial, Mr. Sharif testified that the military removed him because of unhappiness over his handling of tensions with India over Kashmir. Mr. Sharif was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, but was exiled to Saudi Arabia in 2000.
Since then, he has remained politically active: He sought unsuccessfully to get permission to return to the country in 2002 to participate in parliamentary elections. In 2007, his party worked to capitalize on the growing dissatisfaction with General Musharraf and anger over his attempt to oust the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry; Mr. Sharif announced that he planned to run for president against the general. Mr. Chaudhry was ousted in March 2007 on charges of misconduct.
In August, after Justice Chaudhry regained his post, the court ruled that Mr. Sharif and his brother could return to the country, a significant blow to General Musharraf's political fortunes. But when Mr. Sharif arrived in Islamabad on Sept. 10, 2007, he was promptly deported.
The landscape shifted again, however, when Mr. Musharraf declared emergency rule in November 2007, dismissed Justice Chaudhry and placed him under house arrest. Saudi leaders complained to the Pakistani president that since one opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, had been allowed to return, Mr. Sharif, who is less secular, should be let back in, too. Mr. Sharif returned on Nov. 25, to the cheers of massive crowds.
Since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December of 2007, Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League joined the coalition government led by the Pakistan’s People’s Party of Bhutto’s widower, Asif Ali Zardari. The fragile coalition came to an end as the Muslim League left in the wake of an unresolved dispute over the reinstatement of dismissed judges.
Mr. Sharif argued that Mr. Chaudhry had proved his independence. Many observers believed that Mr. Sharif hoped the deposed chief justice, who had ruled in his favor before, would do so again if reinstated. They saw Mr. Zardari's opposition to Mr. Chaudhry as a prelude to isolating his rival.
On Feb. 25, 2009, Pakistan's Supreme Court barred Mr. Sharif from elected office in a decision that is likely to plunge Pakistan into deeper political turmoil as it grapples with an escalating insurgency.
The court made its ruling on the grounds that Mr. Sharif had been convicted of a crime. But Mr. Sharif’s lawyer immediately denounced the decision, asserting it was a political decision ordered by President Asif Ali Zardari.
The court also disqualified Mr. Sharif’s brother, Shahbaz Sharif, from continuing in office as the chief minister of the Punjab, the most important province in Pakistan, and the only one not controlled by Mr. Zardari.
Animosity between the former prime minister and Mr. Zardari stems from the collapse of their coalition in 2008 but it has worsened in recent weeks as the Supreme Court decisions on the brothers neared.
Mr. Sharif pledged to join protesting lawyers in a long march from Lahore to Islamabad in March, and to take part in a planned sit-in in the capital, as part of a campaign to restore Justice Chaudhry.
In a stunning concession to Mr. Sharif, the government agreed on March 16 to reinstate Justice Chaudhry. Mr. Sharif said he would call off his protest and the sit-in.
Related: Pakistan | Pervez Musharraf | Benazir Bhutto
General Musharraf denounced Mr. Sharif as corrupt and said that Mr. Sharif had attempted to block a plane carrying him and 198 civilian passengers from landing. In 2000, the former prime minister went on trial, charged with hijacking and attempted murder. During the trial, Mr. Sharif testified that the military removed him because of unhappiness over his handling of tensions with India over Kashmir. Mr. Sharif was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, but was exiled to Saudi Arabia in 2000.
Since then, he has remained politically active: He sought unsuccessfully to get permission to return to the country in 2002 to participate in parliamentary elections. In 2007, his party worked to capitalize on the growing dissatisfaction with General Musharraf and anger over his attempt to oust the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry; Mr. Sharif announced that he planned to run for president against the general. Mr. Chaudhry was ousted in March 2007 on charges of misconduct.
In August, after Justice Chaudhry regained his post, the court ruled that Mr. Sharif and his brother could return to the country, a significant blow to General Musharraf's political fortunes. But when Mr. Sharif arrived in Islamabad on Sept. 10, 2007, he was promptly deported.
The landscape shifted again, however, when Mr. Musharraf declared emergency rule in November 2007, dismissed Justice Chaudhry and placed him under house arrest. Saudi leaders complained to the Pakistani president that since one opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, had been allowed to return, Mr. Sharif, who is less secular, should be let back in, too. Mr. Sharif returned on Nov. 25, to the cheers of massive crowds.
Since the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in December of 2007, Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League joined the coalition government led by the Pakistan’s People’s Party of Bhutto’s widower, Asif Ali Zardari. The fragile coalition came to an end as the Muslim League left in the wake of an unresolved dispute over the reinstatement of dismissed judges.
Mr. Sharif argued that Mr. Chaudhry had proved his independence. Many observers believed that Mr. Sharif hoped the deposed chief justice, who had ruled in his favor before, would do so again if reinstated. They saw Mr. Zardari's opposition to Mr. Chaudhry as a prelude to isolating his rival.
On Feb. 25, 2009, Pakistan's Supreme Court barred Mr. Sharif from elected office in a decision that is likely to plunge Pakistan into deeper political turmoil as it grapples with an escalating insurgency.
The court made its ruling on the grounds that Mr. Sharif had been convicted of a crime. But Mr. Sharif’s lawyer immediately denounced the decision, asserting it was a political decision ordered by President Asif Ali Zardari.
The court also disqualified Mr. Sharif’s brother, Shahbaz Sharif, from continuing in office as the chief minister of the Punjab, the most important province in Pakistan, and the only one not controlled by Mr. Zardari.
Animosity between the former prime minister and Mr. Zardari stems from the collapse of their coalition in 2008 but it has worsened in recent weeks as the Supreme Court decisions on the brothers neared.
Mr. Sharif pledged to join protesting lawyers in a long march from Lahore to Islamabad in March, and to take part in a planned sit-in in the capital, as part of a campaign to restore Justice Chaudhry.
In a stunning concession to Mr. Sharif, the government agreed on March 16 to reinstate Justice Chaudhry. Mr. Sharif said he would call off his protest and the sit-in.
Related: Pakistan | Pervez Musharraf | Benazir Bhutto
Jihad against gray hair
Moving from the dining table to the dressing table, Nawaz Sharif has had hair-transplantation, and after several years of baldness he has once again started using the comb. In fact, he uses it much more frequently than other people do. Maybe the bristled hair have to do something with it, or perhaps it is just a psychological thing with such cases.
While he may have overcome his baldness, the transplantation has meant that Nawaz Sharif has lost his identity. Interestingly, brother Shahbaz Sharif has also undergone the same process.
In Pakistan, the two brothers were once affectionately called CT, BT (Choti tind, Barhi tind). They were so addressed when Pakistan was under pressure to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which also carried the acronym CTBT. Since one brother was then the Prime Minister and the other was the Punjab Chief Minister, people called them CT, BT. But as the two SNawaz Sharif had a hair transplant? As the news channels are showing him every hour after the unfortunate killing of Ms Bhutto, I noticed how drastically un-bald he is compared to just a year ago!
Here’s him a couple of years ago - ForumPakistan
Here’s this month’s photo - ABC Australia
Digging around a bit, I found media has already gotten the clue. Pakistan’s top newspaper Dawn reports
“They share one inexplicable self-indulgence; both have had hair transplants that make them look younger in the eyes of every beholder except their electorate.”
I know ex Prime Minister of Italy Berlusconi had had a transplant. Does that make Mr Sharif the second state leader? Seeing Berlusconi lose the election so badly and Mr Sharif’s general
lack of mass support, HT may not yet be that “effective” for our leaders
Thanks
harifs have now had their hair transplanted, a friend of theirs commented in a lighter vein that the issue of the ‘CTBT’ had finally been settled for good.
I wonder if Abbaji would have approved….
While he may have overcome his baldness, the transplantation has meant that Nawaz Sharif has lost his identity. Interestingly, brother Shahbaz Sharif has also undergone the same process.
In Pakistan, the two brothers were once affectionately called CT, BT (Choti tind, Barhi tind). They were so addressed when Pakistan was under pressure to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which also carried the acronym CTBT. Since one brother was then the Prime Minister and the other was the Punjab Chief Minister, people called them CT, BT. But as the two SNawaz Sharif had a hair transplant? As the news channels are showing him every hour after the unfortunate killing of Ms Bhutto, I noticed how drastically un-bald he is compared to just a year ago!
Here’s him a couple of years ago - ForumPakistan
Here’s this month’s photo - ABC Australia
Digging around a bit, I found media has already gotten the clue. Pakistan’s top newspaper Dawn reports
“They share one inexplicable self-indulgence; both have had hair transplants that make them look younger in the eyes of every beholder except their electorate.”
I know ex Prime Minister of Italy Berlusconi had had a transplant. Does that make Mr Sharif the second state leader? Seeing Berlusconi lose the election so badly and Mr Sharif’s general
lack of mass support, HT may not yet be that “effective” for our leaders
Thanks
harifs have now had their hair transplanted, a friend of theirs commented in a lighter vein that the issue of the ‘CTBT’ had finally been settled for good.
I wonder if Abbaji would have approved….
Pakistan Muslim League (N)
Introduction
The Pakistan Muslim League (N) is a political party in Pakistan. It is led by Nawaz Sharif.
History and Background
It was Pakistan Muslim League, founded in 1962, as a successor to the previously disbanded Muslim League, and gained the (Nawaz) or (N) in 1993 for its leader, Nawaz Sharif. A Pakistan Muslim League (J) was formed in 1986.
Current Status
A Pakistan Muslim League (Q) split from it in 2001, and there are various other parties with similar names. Despite Musharraf's best efforts to put aside the party leaders in exile and others in jail,legislative elections on 20 October 2002, the party won 9.4% of the popular vote and 14 out of 272 elected members.
Party Contact
Party Address : House No 20-H streets 10, sector F-8/3 Islamabad.
Tel No : 051-2852662, 051-2852663 , 051-2852665
Email : drluqman@pml1.org , pmlisb@hotmail.com
Website : http://www.pmln.org.pk/
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Group (PML N) in News
1 - Nawaz, Shahbaz disqualified, Punjab under governor rule
• ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's politics took a dramatic, but not so unexpected, turn on Wednesday when a Supreme Court verdict to declare Nawaz and Shahbaz Sha...Read More
2 - Nazims put Shahbaz on notice
• LAHORE: Around 25 district Nazims have sought public apology from the Punjab government within 15 days for levelling false corruption charges against ...Read More
3 - PML-N hands over 18th Amendment draft bill to PPP
• ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday handed over a copy of the proposed 18th amendment bill to the Pakistan People’s Party ...Read More
4 - PPP-PML-N tensions rise
• ISLAMABAD: Relations between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) took a new turn on Tuesday when President ...Read More
5 - Ex-parte proceedings if Sharifs do not appear: SC
• ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Thursday warned that ex-parte proceedings would be initiated if Sharif brothers failed to appear before the court to defe...Read More
6 - Nawaz urges Zardari to repeal 17th Amendment
• ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that during his recent dinner meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari,...Read More
More News
The Pakistan Muslim League (N) is a political party in Pakistan. It is led by Nawaz Sharif.
History and Background
It was Pakistan Muslim League, founded in 1962, as a successor to the previously disbanded Muslim League, and gained the (Nawaz) or (N) in 1993 for its leader, Nawaz Sharif. A Pakistan Muslim League (J) was formed in 1986.
Current Status
A Pakistan Muslim League (Q) split from it in 2001, and there are various other parties with similar names. Despite Musharraf's best efforts to put aside the party leaders in exile and others in jail,legislative elections on 20 October 2002, the party won 9.4% of the popular vote and 14 out of 272 elected members.
Party Contact
Party Address : House No 20-H streets 10, sector F-8/3 Islamabad.
Tel No : 051-2852662, 051-2852663 , 051-2852665
Email : drluqman@pml1.org , pmlisb@hotmail.com
Website : http://www.pmln.org.pk/
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Group (PML N) in News
1 - Nawaz, Shahbaz disqualified, Punjab under governor rule
• ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's politics took a dramatic, but not so unexpected, turn on Wednesday when a Supreme Court verdict to declare Nawaz and Shahbaz Sha...Read More
2 - Nazims put Shahbaz on notice
• LAHORE: Around 25 district Nazims have sought public apology from the Punjab government within 15 days for levelling false corruption charges against ...Read More
3 - PML-N hands over 18th Amendment draft bill to PPP
• ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Thursday handed over a copy of the proposed 18th amendment bill to the Pakistan People’s Party ...Read More
4 - PPP-PML-N tensions rise
• ISLAMABAD: Relations between the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) took a new turn on Tuesday when President ...Read More
5 - Ex-parte proceedings if Sharifs do not appear: SC
• ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Thursday warned that ex-parte proceedings would be initiated if Sharif brothers failed to appear before the court to defe...Read More
6 - Nawaz urges Zardari to repeal 17th Amendment
• ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PML-N Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that during his recent dinner meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari,...Read More
More News
Nawaz Sharif: Politics
Nawaz Sharif practicing politics of principles: Ahsan Iqbal
Updated at: 1254 PST, Monday, December 08, 2008
ISLAMABAD: Secretary Information Pakistan Muslim League (PML)-N Ahsan Iqbal said Nawaz Sharif is practicing politics of principles instead of anarchy.
In a statement issued here, Ahsan Iqbal said statements issued by Altaf Hussain should be condemned. He said chief of PML-N wants supremacy of law and constitution in the country and now it is an open secret who is behind Mumbai attacks.
Product Details:
Author: Mushtaq Ahmed | ISBN: 969-407-225-9 | Format: Hardcover | Pages: 249 | Weight: 1.17 lbs | Pub. Date: 2001 | Publisher: Royal Book Company
DESCRIPTION
Nawaz Sharif was and remains one of the principal actors on the political stage of contemporary Pakistan. He is a contender for power in the future, having been its occupant in the past. In this volume, Mushtaq Ahmed has tried to faithfully and objectively set out the impact of the policies Nawaz Sharif pursued on the country and its masses.
Golden Words of Nawaz Sharif's political father,guru and mentor General Zia-ul-haq
submitted 20 days 14 hours ago by: Aeyaz.hassan : 51 comments
These are the “GOLDEN” words of NAWAZ SHARIF’S political father, guru, and mentor General Zia-ul-Haq “constitution is nothing more than a piece of paper which he can tear any time he wishes."
For eleven years he ruled by keeping 1973 constitution suspended through Martial Law Regulations, Martial Law Orders and the Provisional Constitutional Order of 1981.
Every politician, like any other celebrity, has his or her tryst with destiny. That might be it for Nawaz Sharif at this juncture in his career. Never did he ever before came face to face with karma to decide how he would like to be remembered in the history of Pakistan.
Nawaz’ disqualificationto run for the national Assembly of Pakistan in a by-election by none other than the Lahore High Court, on June 23, faces him with perhaps the most difficult and momentous decision of his political life. How should he react to it? How should he take it? What should be his response to the gauntlet thrown at him by his adversaries?
One obvious villain that might have provided the trigger for this ‘political’ verdict by Punjab’s top court is none other than Pervez Musharraf. As such, the Nawaz Brigade, led by junior Sharif, Shehbaz, didn’t lose a minute before pointing their guns at Nawaz’ principal nemesis, ensconced in the Presidency, for being the culprit in this episode. Conventional wisdom is on their side: Pervez Musharraf would hate to see Nawz entering the parliament and gaining another niche to take pot shots at him. Musharraf must gravely fear the chances of his impeachment taking a hefty boost with Nawaz in parliament.
That the ‘honourable’ justices who handed down this crassly partisan verdict against a man who has twice been PM of Pakistan owe their jobs to Pervez Musharraf, is as good an evidence as any of their being party to a political conspiracy hatched in the Presidency to keep Nawaz out of the parliament. These PCO judges must take fright at the prospect of Nawaz getting into the parliament to hasten their unceremonious departure from the positions gifted to them by an autocrat’s hunger for unbridled power.
Updated at: 1254 PST, Monday, December 08, 2008
ISLAMABAD: Secretary Information Pakistan Muslim League (PML)-N Ahsan Iqbal said Nawaz Sharif is practicing politics of principles instead of anarchy.
In a statement issued here, Ahsan Iqbal said statements issued by Altaf Hussain should be condemned. He said chief of PML-N wants supremacy of law and constitution in the country and now it is an open secret who is behind Mumbai attacks.
Product Details:
Author: Mushtaq Ahmed | ISBN: 969-407-225-9 | Format: Hardcover | Pages: 249 | Weight: 1.17 lbs | Pub. Date: 2001 | Publisher: Royal Book Company
DESCRIPTION
Nawaz Sharif was and remains one of the principal actors on the political stage of contemporary Pakistan. He is a contender for power in the future, having been its occupant in the past. In this volume, Mushtaq Ahmed has tried to faithfully and objectively set out the impact of the policies Nawaz Sharif pursued on the country and its masses.
Golden Words of Nawaz Sharif's political father,guru and mentor General Zia-ul-haq
submitted 20 days 14 hours ago by: Aeyaz.hassan : 51 comments
These are the “GOLDEN” words of NAWAZ SHARIF’S political father, guru, and mentor General Zia-ul-Haq “constitution is nothing more than a piece of paper which he can tear any time he wishes."
For eleven years he ruled by keeping 1973 constitution suspended through Martial Law Regulations, Martial Law Orders and the Provisional Constitutional Order of 1981.
Every politician, like any other celebrity, has his or her tryst with destiny. That might be it for Nawaz Sharif at this juncture in his career. Never did he ever before came face to face with karma to decide how he would like to be remembered in the history of Pakistan.
Nawaz’ disqualificationto run for the national Assembly of Pakistan in a by-election by none other than the Lahore High Court, on June 23, faces him with perhaps the most difficult and momentous decision of his political life. How should he react to it? How should he take it? What should be his response to the gauntlet thrown at him by his adversaries?
One obvious villain that might have provided the trigger for this ‘political’ verdict by Punjab’s top court is none other than Pervez Musharraf. As such, the Nawaz Brigade, led by junior Sharif, Shehbaz, didn’t lose a minute before pointing their guns at Nawaz’ principal nemesis, ensconced in the Presidency, for being the culprit in this episode. Conventional wisdom is on their side: Pervez Musharraf would hate to see Nawz entering the parliament and gaining another niche to take pot shots at him. Musharraf must gravely fear the chances of his impeachment taking a hefty boost with Nawaz in parliament.
That the ‘honourable’ justices who handed down this crassly partisan verdict against a man who has twice been PM of Pakistan owe their jobs to Pervez Musharraf, is as good an evidence as any of their being party to a political conspiracy hatched in the Presidency to keep Nawaz out of the parliament. These PCO judges must take fright at the prospect of Nawaz getting into the parliament to hasten their unceremonious departure from the positions gifted to them by an autocrat’s hunger for unbridled power.
Great Long March Not for Govern "for Justice"
Remember Mian Nawaz Sharif? The former Chief Minister of Punjab and two-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, famous for nuclear tests in Chaghi, seizure of Foreign Currency Accounts, attack on the Supreme Court of Pakistan, disposal of President Farooq Leghari, out-of-turn promotion of General Musharraf and then a dramatic attempt to oust Musharraf which backfired and resulted in end of Sharif government, imprisonment of Sharif brothers and ultimately a deal with Pervez Musharraf that allowed him, with family, a safe passage to Saudi Arabia.
Its an open secret how Nawaz Sharif spent his time at Surror Palace in Jeddah and then in England. On his return to Pakistan, and sensing public sentiment, PML-N gave election-slogan of restoration of judiciary and Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. He won substantial seats in the election meaning people of Pakistan gave him and his party the mandate to restore the judiciary. However, he failed to do so while Asif Ali Zardari took him for a ride. Now, almost a year has passed since the nation went to vote and PML-N has yet to deliver. PML-N and its leaders are all words and no action, especially in Punjab where Shahbaz Sharif claims he will do anything (except leaving the government) for restoration of judiciary.
Now, Nawaz Sharif is again getting vocal for the deposed judges, supporting lawyers and announcing full participation of PML-N in upcoming Long March. Maybe its an attempt to counter the cases against him, or he wants to be in mainstream if Lawyer Movement gets successful and PPP government exits. In any case, Nawaz Sharif is no different from Aitzaz Ahsan - the pied paper, who led the previous Long March and drowned it in Islamabad.10:57am UK, Monday March 16, 2009
Pakistan's main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif has agreed to call off a mass protest march after the government said it would reinstate the deposed chief justice.
Iftikar Chaudhry will take up his old job as chief justice
"We are now calling off this long march," Mr Sharif reportedly told the AFP news agency from his car in the central Pakistan city of Gujranwala.
He added the government U-turn had "saved Pakistan", quelling fears the unrest would further destabilise the region.
Thousands of opposition activists had taken part in the "long march" to express their anger that judges deposed by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf had not been reinstated.
Pakistan's Power Struggle
As Islamabad returns to normal, Sky's Asia correspondent Alex Crawford reports on the eleventh hour resolution to the crisis
Earlier, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani agreed to reinstate the former chief justice, Iftikar Chaudhry - signalling an end to the tensions.
Mr Gilani says Mr Chaudhry will be sworn in on March 21, after the current chief justice retires.
He also ordered all lawyers and political activists arrested over the past week to be freed immediately and appealed for political reconciliation.
Nawaz Sharif
President Asif Ali Zardari had previously stonewalled calls from the opposition, led by Mr Sharif and a lawyers' movement, to restore the judge.
The protest march, which turned violent in Lahore over the weekend, was due to move towards the Pakistan capital Islamabad today.
Authorities in Lahore had issued an arrest warrant for Mr Sharif on Sunday in an attempt to stop the protest, but it was ignored.
Instead, the opposition leader joined hundreds of anti-government protesters on the streets, as clashes with police intensified.
Former President Pervez Musharraf fired Mr Chaudhry in 2007 after he took up cases challenging the leader's rule.
The move sparked a wave of protests that helped force Mr Musharraf from power in 2008.
His successor, Mr Zardari, pledged to reinstate Mr Chaudhry within 30 days of his party forming a government.
But he later reneged on the promise, apparently fearing the judge might examine a controversial immunity ruling enjoyed by Mr Zardari over alleged corruption cases.
Its an open secret how Nawaz Sharif spent his time at Surror Palace in Jeddah and then in England. On his return to Pakistan, and sensing public sentiment, PML-N gave election-slogan of restoration of judiciary and Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. He won substantial seats in the election meaning people of Pakistan gave him and his party the mandate to restore the judiciary. However, he failed to do so while Asif Ali Zardari took him for a ride. Now, almost a year has passed since the nation went to vote and PML-N has yet to deliver. PML-N and its leaders are all words and no action, especially in Punjab where Shahbaz Sharif claims he will do anything (except leaving the government) for restoration of judiciary.
Now, Nawaz Sharif is again getting vocal for the deposed judges, supporting lawyers and announcing full participation of PML-N in upcoming Long March. Maybe its an attempt to counter the cases against him, or he wants to be in mainstream if Lawyer Movement gets successful and PPP government exits. In any case, Nawaz Sharif is no different from Aitzaz Ahsan - the pied paper, who led the previous Long March and drowned it in Islamabad.10:57am UK, Monday March 16, 2009
Pakistan's main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif has agreed to call off a mass protest march after the government said it would reinstate the deposed chief justice.
Iftikar Chaudhry will take up his old job as chief justice
"We are now calling off this long march," Mr Sharif reportedly told the AFP news agency from his car in the central Pakistan city of Gujranwala.
He added the government U-turn had "saved Pakistan", quelling fears the unrest would further destabilise the region.
Thousands of opposition activists had taken part in the "long march" to express their anger that judges deposed by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf had not been reinstated.
Pakistan's Power Struggle
As Islamabad returns to normal, Sky's Asia correspondent Alex Crawford reports on the eleventh hour resolution to the crisis
Earlier, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani agreed to reinstate the former chief justice, Iftikar Chaudhry - signalling an end to the tensions.
Mr Gilani says Mr Chaudhry will be sworn in on March 21, after the current chief justice retires.
He also ordered all lawyers and political activists arrested over the past week to be freed immediately and appealed for political reconciliation.
Nawaz Sharif
President Asif Ali Zardari had previously stonewalled calls from the opposition, led by Mr Sharif and a lawyers' movement, to restore the judge.
The protest march, which turned violent in Lahore over the weekend, was due to move towards the Pakistan capital Islamabad today.
Authorities in Lahore had issued an arrest warrant for Mr Sharif on Sunday in an attempt to stop the protest, but it was ignored.
Instead, the opposition leader joined hundreds of anti-government protesters on the streets, as clashes with police intensified.
Former President Pervez Musharraf fired Mr Chaudhry in 2007 after he took up cases challenging the leader's rule.
The move sparked a wave of protests that helped force Mr Musharraf from power in 2008.
His successor, Mr Zardari, pledged to reinstate Mr Chaudhry within 30 days of his party forming a government.
But he later reneged on the promise, apparently fearing the judge might examine a controversial immunity ruling enjoyed by Mr Zardari over alleged corruption cases.
Sharif gets a hero's welcome in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—Mr. Nawaz Sharif’s latest move scores him some points but does not make him a hero. It is also a reminder for Pakistanis that they need to generate new leadership for the future instead of recycling old faces from the past.
The only visible gain for the former premier is that he did try to come back. The timing does betray political expediency and dents his claim to heroism. He had no choice. He moved the Supreme Court in order to embarrass President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. But the court’s ruling ended up posing a bigger challenge to Mr. Sharif: Come back or lose credibility among supporters. He had no choice but to trample on his commitments to his powerful overseas friends.
The Saudis not only take such commitments very seriously, but they do it discreetly. In recent years, Riyadh has played host to several friends. But Pakistan’s Mr. Sharif will always be remembered as the one who forced them to break out of their customary calmness. The Saudis did it reluctantly, but only in deference to a more valuable friend and ally, Pakistan.
The embattled Mr. Musharraf has also scored some much needed points. He has for the time being restored some respect and authority to his office. His eight-year position on Mr. Sharif’s exile has been vindicated. For Pakistani voters, it is clear now who has been lying about it all this time, although such moral high ground is of little value in Pakistan’s dirty and below-the-belt politics.
The calm, swift, and largely peaceful way in which the Musharraf administration dealt with Mr. Sharif and his supporters deflates the media-inspired theory built up since 9 March that the Pakistani strongman was ‘losing his grip on power.’ How widespread this perception was can be gauged from international news headlines on 9 September that exaggerated the impact of Mr. Sharif’s return.
For the time being, President Musharraf is firmly in charge in Pakistan. And for a man who has received several dents to his image in the past six months, his team will do good to play up his recent gains in stature, emphasizing how Mr. Sharif misguided his supporters on how he used his foreign connections to circumvent facing Pakistani courts, and then how he lied about it for eight years while the government maintained a graceful restraint.
But this is as much breathing space as Mr. Musharraf can expect to get in the interim. He still faces a bumpy road through his reelection process to a new, five-year term. And his options continue to include harsh measures as a last resort.
Under his watch, Pakistan did gain economically and strategically over the past five years. Much of the underlying policies need to be continued, and this must have priority over any other consideration. After all, what good are elections or democracy in an economically weak country? Mr. Musharraf has also done a commendable job expanding freedoms and basic democratic rights in the country. This military dictator’s record is far better than our civilian leaders in this regard. Not that his opponents will admit it. But that’s Pakistani politics.
Yet, Mr. Musharraf must come to terms with the fact that he faces a credibility problem. Major parts of his reform agenda for Pakistan ring hollow now after his alliance with discredited politicians. As a result, his much trumpeted accountability and anticorruption drive fell apart somewhere along the way. There is little that Mr. Musharraf can show in terms of reforming Pakistan’s perennially problematic politics. And apart from creating a National Security Council, which is a good step despite opposition mumbling, Mr. Musharraf has done little to solve the real problem within the Pakistani political system: the question of power-sharing between a president and prime minister. This feature of the Westminster-style system which has worked under monarchy in Britain has wreaked havoc in Pakistan, and it lies at the root of the constant political bickering in the country.
Mr. Sharif’s latest move also highlights a new trend in Pakistani politics: you will gain popularity if you defy Musharraf even if you don’t offer a credible better alternative. Imran Khan is a case in point.
Mr. Musharraf will have to face these serious questions and address them to the satisfaction of the ordinary Pakistanis. And he should. It’s never too late to do right.
Ahmed Quraishi is a Pakistani public affairs professional. He heads the Pakistan Task Force at FurmaanRealpolitik, an independent Pakistani think tank based in Islamabad. He also produces and hosts a weekly foreign policy show for PTV World. Sharif gets a hero's welcome in Pakistan - Thousands greet the former premier. Some speculate Musharraf allowed his return in a bid to undercut Bhutto.
By Laura King
November 26, 2007
Tens of thousands of cheering, chanting supporters showered former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with rose petals as he triumphantly returned from exile Sunday, posing a new challenge not only to President Pervez Musharraf but also to pro-Western opposition leader Benazir BhuttoSpecial arrangements
Sharif's plans were finalized Friday after a meeting with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, who flew the former leader here in a special plane and provided him with a bulletproof Mercedes, which he did not use, however, for his tumultuous journey from Lahore airport to the city center.
With fireworks arcing into the sky, supporters danced in front of his convoy, slowing progress to a crawl. Honking cars and buses, with flag-waving supporters dangling from rooftops and windows, jammed the road.
Sharif, clad in a traditional white shalwar kameez, or tunic and baggy trousers, topped with a black waistcoat, told supporters he had not made compromises with Musharraf to be allowed back into his homeland.
The only visible gain for the former premier is that he did try to come back. The timing does betray political expediency and dents his claim to heroism. He had no choice. He moved the Supreme Court in order to embarrass President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. But the court’s ruling ended up posing a bigger challenge to Mr. Sharif: Come back or lose credibility among supporters. He had no choice but to trample on his commitments to his powerful overseas friends.
The Saudis not only take such commitments very seriously, but they do it discreetly. In recent years, Riyadh has played host to several friends. But Pakistan’s Mr. Sharif will always be remembered as the one who forced them to break out of their customary calmness. The Saudis did it reluctantly, but only in deference to a more valuable friend and ally, Pakistan.
The embattled Mr. Musharraf has also scored some much needed points. He has for the time being restored some respect and authority to his office. His eight-year position on Mr. Sharif’s exile has been vindicated. For Pakistani voters, it is clear now who has been lying about it all this time, although such moral high ground is of little value in Pakistan’s dirty and below-the-belt politics.
The calm, swift, and largely peaceful way in which the Musharraf administration dealt with Mr. Sharif and his supporters deflates the media-inspired theory built up since 9 March that the Pakistani strongman was ‘losing his grip on power.’ How widespread this perception was can be gauged from international news headlines on 9 September that exaggerated the impact of Mr. Sharif’s return.
For the time being, President Musharraf is firmly in charge in Pakistan. And for a man who has received several dents to his image in the past six months, his team will do good to play up his recent gains in stature, emphasizing how Mr. Sharif misguided his supporters on how he used his foreign connections to circumvent facing Pakistani courts, and then how he lied about it for eight years while the government maintained a graceful restraint.
But this is as much breathing space as Mr. Musharraf can expect to get in the interim. He still faces a bumpy road through his reelection process to a new, five-year term. And his options continue to include harsh measures as a last resort.
Under his watch, Pakistan did gain economically and strategically over the past five years. Much of the underlying policies need to be continued, and this must have priority over any other consideration. After all, what good are elections or democracy in an economically weak country? Mr. Musharraf has also done a commendable job expanding freedoms and basic democratic rights in the country. This military dictator’s record is far better than our civilian leaders in this regard. Not that his opponents will admit it. But that’s Pakistani politics.
Yet, Mr. Musharraf must come to terms with the fact that he faces a credibility problem. Major parts of his reform agenda for Pakistan ring hollow now after his alliance with discredited politicians. As a result, his much trumpeted accountability and anticorruption drive fell apart somewhere along the way. There is little that Mr. Musharraf can show in terms of reforming Pakistan’s perennially problematic politics. And apart from creating a National Security Council, which is a good step despite opposition mumbling, Mr. Musharraf has done little to solve the real problem within the Pakistani political system: the question of power-sharing between a president and prime minister. This feature of the Westminster-style system which has worked under monarchy in Britain has wreaked havoc in Pakistan, and it lies at the root of the constant political bickering in the country.
Mr. Sharif’s latest move also highlights a new trend in Pakistani politics: you will gain popularity if you defy Musharraf even if you don’t offer a credible better alternative. Imran Khan is a case in point.
Mr. Musharraf will have to face these serious questions and address them to the satisfaction of the ordinary Pakistanis. And he should. It’s never too late to do right.
Ahmed Quraishi is a Pakistani public affairs professional. He heads the Pakistan Task Force at FurmaanRealpolitik, an independent Pakistani think tank based in Islamabad. He also produces and hosts a weekly foreign policy show for PTV World. Sharif gets a hero's welcome in Pakistan - Thousands greet the former premier. Some speculate Musharraf allowed his return in a bid to undercut Bhutto.
By Laura King
November 26, 2007
Tens of thousands of cheering, chanting supporters showered former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with rose petals as he triumphantly returned from exile Sunday, posing a new challenge not only to President Pervez Musharraf but also to pro-Western opposition leader Benazir BhuttoSpecial arrangements
Sharif's plans were finalized Friday after a meeting with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, who flew the former leader here in a special plane and provided him with a bulletproof Mercedes, which he did not use, however, for his tumultuous journey from Lahore airport to the city center.
With fireworks arcing into the sky, supporters danced in front of his convoy, slowing progress to a crawl. Honking cars and buses, with flag-waving supporters dangling from rooftops and windows, jammed the road.
Sharif, clad in a traditional white shalwar kameez, or tunic and baggy trousers, topped with a black waistcoat, told supporters he had not made compromises with Musharraf to be allowed back into his homeland.
World: Monitoring Nawaz Sharif's speech
According to latest reports, PML N leader Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has confirmed about the chances of sit-down with lawyers as a protest for the restoration of Judges at the November 2nd, 2007 position but some independent sources say that it is a political statement and Nawaz is less likely to attend sitdowns with lawyers.
Despite the fact PML N looks forward to participate in the long March due on March 16th, 2009.
World: Monitoring
Nawaz Sharif's speech
In his address to the nation, broadcast live on Pakistani television, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the five nuclear tests marked a decisive moment in Pakistan's history and he called for national austerity in the face of the expected international sanctions.
Following are excerpts from his speech: Tests possible '15-20 years ago'
"China is against expansionism in spite of being several times more powerful than India in respect of its strength and defence capabilities, while India is an expansionist country. We constantly pointed towards this fact but the major powers did not pay any attention to this and continued to believe in false pronouncements made by Indian rulers. Under these circumstances, it was but natural for us to get worried. World should have 'blockaded' India
"What was necessary was that India should have been blockaded without any moment's delay for the manner in which New Delhi insulted world public opinion and scornfully rejected the world nations' demands. Highly effective sanctions would have been imposed against India until it stopped its nuclear weapons programme, but, regretfully, no such effective step was taken to make India realise its mistake. The manner in which India was condemned could not prove meaningful. No option" but to stop India
"I have had five telephone conversations with US President Bill Clinton. He expressed heartfelt sympathy, for which I am very grateful. I understand that President Clinton is aware of our compulsions. However, India is running so far ahead in the nuclear arms race that there is no option but to stop it. A retaliatory action has become indispensable for the sake of peace and security of this region. It sounds incomprehensible to us that India is being asked to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty after having made and operated nuclear weapons. India is being told that if it promises not to conduct any nuclear tests in the future, all of its sins will be pardoned. However, we were advised to act with caution and not to take any retaliatory action in haste. Nuclear account now "fully settled"
"I am fortunate that my people have trust in me... Today we have fully settled the account of the nuclear tests conducted by India recently and have carried out five successful nuclear tests. Millions of thanks to the God that he gave us the ability to carry out the retaliatory tests. Whatever we have done is the decision of the people of Pakistan.
"When you raised the slogan: Take the step Nawaz Sharif, we are with you, it came across my mind that oh God, what step are my people asking me to take. The answer has been found as to what was meant by that step. History has taken us to a decisive crossroad. One way is towards slavery, the other towards freedom... Pakistani military ready to "face the enemy"
"By the grace of god, our troops are imbued with the spirit of faith in God and are ready to face the enemy at every front with full determination. Our nuclear scientists and technicians too, by the grace of God, are endowed with divine capabilities and the strength of faith in God. Our nuclear explosions have eradicated the uncertain situation that had been created by the enemy's explosions. The Pakistani nation pays tribute to these great sons of the nation. No enemy, God willing, can carry out cowardly nuclear attack on our country. 'National agenda' to be announced
"I will appear before you within a few days again with a complete national agenda... We had deprived ourselves of our self-reliance by seeking loans from others. The indebted life had dissuaded us from labour and toil and habituated us to an artificial life. The enemy has awakened us by challenging our self-respect. Now we will not look at any outsider. We will depend on our own strength and will seek help only from God...
"Long Live Pakistan."
Despite the fact PML N looks forward to participate in the long March due on March 16th, 2009.
World: Monitoring
Nawaz Sharif's speech
In his address to the nation, broadcast live on Pakistani television, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the five nuclear tests marked a decisive moment in Pakistan's history and he called for national austerity in the face of the expected international sanctions.
Following are excerpts from his speech: Tests possible '15-20 years ago'
"China is against expansionism in spite of being several times more powerful than India in respect of its strength and defence capabilities, while India is an expansionist country. We constantly pointed towards this fact but the major powers did not pay any attention to this and continued to believe in false pronouncements made by Indian rulers. Under these circumstances, it was but natural for us to get worried. World should have 'blockaded' India
"What was necessary was that India should have been blockaded without any moment's delay for the manner in which New Delhi insulted world public opinion and scornfully rejected the world nations' demands. Highly effective sanctions would have been imposed against India until it stopped its nuclear weapons programme, but, regretfully, no such effective step was taken to make India realise its mistake. The manner in which India was condemned could not prove meaningful. No option" but to stop India
"I have had five telephone conversations with US President Bill Clinton. He expressed heartfelt sympathy, for which I am very grateful. I understand that President Clinton is aware of our compulsions. However, India is running so far ahead in the nuclear arms race that there is no option but to stop it. A retaliatory action has become indispensable for the sake of peace and security of this region. It sounds incomprehensible to us that India is being asked to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty after having made and operated nuclear weapons. India is being told that if it promises not to conduct any nuclear tests in the future, all of its sins will be pardoned. However, we were advised to act with caution and not to take any retaliatory action in haste. Nuclear account now "fully settled"
"I am fortunate that my people have trust in me... Today we have fully settled the account of the nuclear tests conducted by India recently and have carried out five successful nuclear tests. Millions of thanks to the God that he gave us the ability to carry out the retaliatory tests. Whatever we have done is the decision of the people of Pakistan.
"When you raised the slogan: Take the step Nawaz Sharif, we are with you, it came across my mind that oh God, what step are my people asking me to take. The answer has been found as to what was meant by that step. History has taken us to a decisive crossroad. One way is towards slavery, the other towards freedom... Pakistani military ready to "face the enemy"
"By the grace of god, our troops are imbued with the spirit of faith in God and are ready to face the enemy at every front with full determination. Our nuclear scientists and technicians too, by the grace of God, are endowed with divine capabilities and the strength of faith in God. Our nuclear explosions have eradicated the uncertain situation that had been created by the enemy's explosions. The Pakistani nation pays tribute to these great sons of the nation. No enemy, God willing, can carry out cowardly nuclear attack on our country. 'National agenda' to be announced
"I will appear before you within a few days again with a complete national agenda... We had deprived ourselves of our self-reliance by seeking loans from others. The indebted life had dissuaded us from labour and toil and habituated us to an artificial life. The enemy has awakened us by challenging our self-respect. Now we will not look at any outsider. We will depend on our own strength and will seek help only from God...
"Long Live Pakistan."
Some views on Nawaz Sharif
Magazine article from: The Economist (US); 3/8/1997; 620 words ; ...respect, Nawaz Sharif, who began his...term as Pakistan's prime minister on February 17th...letter to the Indian prime minister, Deve Gowda, Mr Sharif has proposed a...point to. Shehbaz Sharif, the prime ministeNewspaper article from: The Washington Post; 2/4/1997; Kenneth J. Cooper ; 700+ words ; Nawaz Sharif, who was forced out as Pakistan's prime minister in 1993 by allegations...foreign currency. Sharif's likely return to the prime minister's office could also...government. While Sharif was prime minister, a steel mill owned... Pakistani Court Authorizes Return of Musharraf Rival; Exiled Former Prime Minister Predicts That President Is on His Way Out
Newspaper article from: The Washington Post; 8/24/2007; Griff Witte - Washington Post Foreign Service ; 700+ words ; ...the way for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to return to the...when the former prime minister arrives. Even so, Sharif may be arrested...to the streets. Sharif, who served two terms as prime minister in the 1990s, is... Read more Read more r's brother, has... Read more Pakistani Prime Minister Bests Rivals in Feud; President Resigns, Chief Justice Demoted as Army Sides With Sharif in Political Conflict
Newspaper article from: The Washington Post; 12/3/1997; Kenneth J. Cooper ; 700+ words ; ...army, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif prevailed today...existence, sided with Sharif today by making...dismissed the prime minister. Coming almost...two members of Sharif's cabinet said the prime minister's goal was to... Read more Nawaz Sharif, Mian Muhammad
Book article from: A Dictionary of Contemporary World History Nawaz Sharif, Mian Muhammad (b. 25 Dec. 1949). Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1990–93, 1997–9 Born in Lahore, he graduated from government... Read more Nawaz Sharif , 1949-, Pakistani politician; grad. Government College, Lahore; Punjab Univ. Law College. Born into a prominent Lahore business family, he was by 1980 director of one of Pakistan's largest industrial conglomerates. In 1981 Sharif was appointed finance minister of the Punjab by the Zia government, and in 1985 he was elected chief minister of the province. An opponent of Benazir Bhutto 's government, Sharif led the right-wing opposition, was elected to parliament in 1990, and became prime minister of a coalition government later that year. His administration initiated economic privatization and deregulation and the elevation of Islamic law. Sharif was ousted in 1993, but he again became prime minister when his Pakistan Muslim League party swept the 1997 elections. Sharif subsequently moved to reduce the power of Pakistan's president. In 1999 he was forced out by Pervez Musharraf 's coup. Accused by the new government of treason, hijacking, and corruption, Sharif was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. His sentence was commuted, however, and in 2000 he was fined and exiled to Saudi Arabia for 10 years. In Aug., 2007, Pakistan's supreme court ruled that Sharif could return and, after an unsuccessful attempt to return in September, he did so in November. Subsequently, however, he was barred from running for parliament.
Newspaper article from: The Washington Post; 8/24/2007; Griff Witte - Washington Post Foreign Service ; 700+ words ; ...the way for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to return to the...when the former prime minister arrives. Even so, Sharif may be arrested...to the streets. Sharif, who served two terms as prime minister in the 1990s, is... Read more Read more r's brother, has... Read more Pakistani Prime Minister Bests Rivals in Feud; President Resigns, Chief Justice Demoted as Army Sides With Sharif in Political Conflict
Newspaper article from: The Washington Post; 12/3/1997; Kenneth J. Cooper ; 700+ words ; ...army, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif prevailed today...existence, sided with Sharif today by making...dismissed the prime minister. Coming almost...two members of Sharif's cabinet said the prime minister's goal was to... Read more Nawaz Sharif, Mian Muhammad
Book article from: A Dictionary of Contemporary World History Nawaz Sharif, Mian Muhammad (b. 25 Dec. 1949). Prime Minister of Pakistan, 1990–93, 1997–9 Born in Lahore, he graduated from government... Read more Nawaz Sharif , 1949-, Pakistani politician; grad. Government College, Lahore; Punjab Univ. Law College. Born into a prominent Lahore business family, he was by 1980 director of one of Pakistan's largest industrial conglomerates. In 1981 Sharif was appointed finance minister of the Punjab by the Zia government, and in 1985 he was elected chief minister of the province. An opponent of Benazir Bhutto 's government, Sharif led the right-wing opposition, was elected to parliament in 1990, and became prime minister of a coalition government later that year. His administration initiated economic privatization and deregulation and the elevation of Islamic law. Sharif was ousted in 1993, but he again became prime minister when his Pakistan Muslim League party swept the 1997 elections. Sharif subsequently moved to reduce the power of Pakistan's president. In 1999 he was forced out by Pervez Musharraf 's coup. Accused by the new government of treason, hijacking, and corruption, Sharif was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison. His sentence was commuted, however, and in 2000 he was fined and exiled to Saudi Arabia for 10 years. In Aug., 2007, Pakistan's supreme court ruled that Sharif could return and, after an unsuccessful attempt to return in September, he did so in November. Subsequently, however, he was barred from running for parliament.
Famous Leader of Pakistan And Muslim World
Zardari as Unpopular as Musharraf - Gallop Survey
January 14, 2009 . 72 Comments
in Featured Articles
Largely considered untested when elected, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has been engulfed by crisis since he took office a few months ago. A Gallup Poll of Pakistan in October, before the latest crisis with India, revealed the new leader had failed, as of that point, to earn more support than his predecessor: Zardari’s 19% job approval rating was on par with the 17% approval that Pakistanis gave an unpopular President Pervez Musharraf in June.
Link to Gallop Survey detailsISLAMABAD: A survey released by Gallup Pakistan on Tuesday showed that 88 percent of Pakistanis supported the coalition of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the formation of the new government.
The nationwide poll surveyed 1,416 respondents from rural and urban areas, representing a cross-section of various age, income, and socio-economic groups. The survey, conducted on March 9 and 10, is said to have an error margin of approximately 3-5 percent at 95 percent confidence level.
The poll, conducted a week ahead of the first NA session, revealed that the PPP enjoys a high level of public support for its decision to ally with its former arch rival, the PML-N.
“In comparison, the support for an alliance with the PML-Quaid (PML-Q), the party enjoying favour with President Pervez Musharraf in the last tenure, is rather low,†the survey said.
The poll showed that 94 percent of PPP supporters, 98 percent of PML-N supporters, 74 percent of PML-Q supporters, and 95 percent of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) supporters favoured the alliance.
27 percent of MQM voters supported the PPP-PMLN alliance, they also maintained a high level of support for President Pervez Musharraf, who is unpopular with PPP and PML-N voters.
Sindh’s problem: “There is a remarkably high support for national reconciliation in the country with the possible exception of conflicting views between PPP and MQM voters,†the survey report said.
“Both are unwilling to give much space to each other. The MQM continues to maintain high levels of support for Pervez Musharraf, who enjoys little favour with PPP voters. By the same count 82 percent of PPP voters are opposed to forming an alliance in the assemblies with the MQM, even though 87 percent of MQM voters express keenness for it,†the report added.
The survey said the difference between the two parties would be a “thorny political problem†in Sindh, where the MQM dominated the urban segment of the provincial assembly, and the PPP reflected the rural population.
January 14, 2009 . 72 Comments
in Featured Articles
Largely considered untested when elected, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has been engulfed by crisis since he took office a few months ago. A Gallup Poll of Pakistan in October, before the latest crisis with India, revealed the new leader had failed, as of that point, to earn more support than his predecessor: Zardari’s 19% job approval rating was on par with the 17% approval that Pakistanis gave an unpopular President Pervez Musharraf in June.
Link to Gallop Survey detailsISLAMABAD: A survey released by Gallup Pakistan on Tuesday showed that 88 percent of Pakistanis supported the coalition of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the formation of the new government.
The nationwide poll surveyed 1,416 respondents from rural and urban areas, representing a cross-section of various age, income, and socio-economic groups. The survey, conducted on March 9 and 10, is said to have an error margin of approximately 3-5 percent at 95 percent confidence level.
The poll, conducted a week ahead of the first NA session, revealed that the PPP enjoys a high level of public support for its decision to ally with its former arch rival, the PML-N.
“In comparison, the support for an alliance with the PML-Quaid (PML-Q), the party enjoying favour with President Pervez Musharraf in the last tenure, is rather low,†the survey said.
The poll showed that 94 percent of PPP supporters, 98 percent of PML-N supporters, 74 percent of PML-Q supporters, and 95 percent of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) supporters favoured the alliance.
27 percent of MQM voters supported the PPP-PMLN alliance, they also maintained a high level of support for President Pervez Musharraf, who is unpopular with PPP and PML-N voters.
Sindh’s problem: “There is a remarkably high support for national reconciliation in the country with the possible exception of conflicting views between PPP and MQM voters,†the survey report said.
“Both are unwilling to give much space to each other. The MQM continues to maintain high levels of support for Pervez Musharraf, who enjoys little favour with PPP voters. By the same count 82 percent of PPP voters are opposed to forming an alliance in the assemblies with the MQM, even though 87 percent of MQM voters express keenness for it,†the report added.
The survey said the difference between the two parties would be a “thorny political problem†in Sindh, where the MQM dominated the urban segment of the provincial assembly, and the PPP reflected the rural population.
Is Nawaz Marganilized?
Is Nawaz Marganilized?
It was May 13, 2006. A day before Nawaz Sharif and late Benazir Bhutto were going to sign Charter of Democracy; a historic document, equated by some to The Magna Carta.
The ceremony could run into problems, as a few members of PML-N team showed reservation in signing it at the residence of Rehman Malik-the ex-chief of FIA who had maltreated the late Mian Sahib. When the problem was brought to the notice of Nawaz Sharif, he thought for long time looking pensively into the faces of those sitting around him. There was complete silence in the room. Syed Ghaus Ali Shah’s face was blank, while all the others looked somber. I turned my face to look at Nawaz Sharif again, he was still thinking.
Then, he moved in his chair with slight unease. ‘We should sign it no matter where the place is. It’s an historic document and our personal feelings should not come in the way of this noble cause’.
I looked at him and realized in that moment he was one of the most misunderstood persons. His enemies called him a man with no vision or foresight. They ranked him an ordinary politician who got luck by becoming the prime minister twice. Contrarily, his colleagues respected him for taking difficult decisions at appropriate times. His friends loved him for keeping simplified social dignity. They saw a man with unmistaken ‘Haya’ in his eyes and respect for others. The decision he took there was far from simple politically. He kept his feelings distant when he took that decision
Over a year later, when Benazir Bhutto was holding secrete parleys with general Musharaf, against the specific clauses of CoD, Nawaz Sharif kept silent and did not criticize her. At the same time, he maintained his firm stand opposing the general for derailing the democracy. Here was a leader showing statesmanship despite being provoked by media to speak against Benazir Bhutto. His statesmanship became apparent during the days, when Aitezaz’s strong support to Ch Iftikhar became a sore point with Benazir Bhutto. The relationship between the two touched the lowest ebb. It was then, when a colleague suggested to Nawaz Sharif to exploit the situation to his political advantage. Nawaz Sharif sent him a message stating, ‘We do not want to play any tricks with her. Let’s think and play straight.’ That was July 23, 2007. The next day at the party’s office in Duke St, London, the same colleague was feeling bad about his suggestion. Nawaz Sharif came and patted him on his back and smiled. That’s how he is in his attitude.
During the following months, BB concentrated on doing politics via the corridors of influential political powers of United States, and NS focused on politically empty streets of Pakistan. In one of the brainstorming meetings it was put to him to hire a firm in US as BB had. He strongly opposed it saying ‘we don’t need foreign hands to strengthen us in our struggle for democracy’. With that policy in mind, he landed up in Pakistan twice and was sent back to Saudi Arabia with humiliation the first time. On other hand, in an arranged return, Benazir was welcomed like a queen. After BB’s assassination, NS was the first to visit the hospital. In the following weeks, against a turmoil created by her murder, he made considerable political impact shown by the election results. His success in elections was based on understanding public feelings vis-à-vis two issues; restoration of judges; and removal of Musharaf.
It was May 13, 2006. A day before Nawaz Sharif and late Benazir Bhutto were going to sign Charter of Democracy; a historic document, equated by some to The Magna Carta.
The ceremony could run into problems, as a few members of PML-N team showed reservation in signing it at the residence of Rehman Malik-the ex-chief of FIA who had maltreated the late Mian Sahib. When the problem was brought to the notice of Nawaz Sharif, he thought for long time looking pensively into the faces of those sitting around him. There was complete silence in the room. Syed Ghaus Ali Shah’s face was blank, while all the others looked somber. I turned my face to look at Nawaz Sharif again, he was still thinking.
Then, he moved in his chair with slight unease. ‘We should sign it no matter where the place is. It’s an historic document and our personal feelings should not come in the way of this noble cause’.
I looked at him and realized in that moment he was one of the most misunderstood persons. His enemies called him a man with no vision or foresight. They ranked him an ordinary politician who got luck by becoming the prime minister twice. Contrarily, his colleagues respected him for taking difficult decisions at appropriate times. His friends loved him for keeping simplified social dignity. They saw a man with unmistaken ‘Haya’ in his eyes and respect for others. The decision he took there was far from simple politically. He kept his feelings distant when he took that decision
Over a year later, when Benazir Bhutto was holding secrete parleys with general Musharaf, against the specific clauses of CoD, Nawaz Sharif kept silent and did not criticize her. At the same time, he maintained his firm stand opposing the general for derailing the democracy. Here was a leader showing statesmanship despite being provoked by media to speak against Benazir Bhutto. His statesmanship became apparent during the days, when Aitezaz’s strong support to Ch Iftikhar became a sore point with Benazir Bhutto. The relationship between the two touched the lowest ebb. It was then, when a colleague suggested to Nawaz Sharif to exploit the situation to his political advantage. Nawaz Sharif sent him a message stating, ‘We do not want to play any tricks with her. Let’s think and play straight.’ That was July 23, 2007. The next day at the party’s office in Duke St, London, the same colleague was feeling bad about his suggestion. Nawaz Sharif came and patted him on his back and smiled. That’s how he is in his attitude.
During the following months, BB concentrated on doing politics via the corridors of influential political powers of United States, and NS focused on politically empty streets of Pakistan. In one of the brainstorming meetings it was put to him to hire a firm in US as BB had. He strongly opposed it saying ‘we don’t need foreign hands to strengthen us in our struggle for democracy’. With that policy in mind, he landed up in Pakistan twice and was sent back to Saudi Arabia with humiliation the first time. On other hand, in an arranged return, Benazir was welcomed like a queen. After BB’s assassination, NS was the first to visit the hospital. In the following weeks, against a turmoil created by her murder, he made considerable political impact shown by the election results. His success in elections was based on understanding public feelings vis-à-vis two issues; restoration of judges; and removal of Musharaf.
I am feeling threatened
Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif today described Benazir Bhutto's assassination as the most tragic incident in the history of Pakistan.
"I myself feel threatened," Sharif said, and his party has temporarily suspended its election campaigns in the wake of the assassination.
"Are things in control now? Had things been in control, would this have happened?" he asked, adding that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf would have to give answers.
"I also feel unprotected, and the lady must also have been feeling very unprotected," Sharif said.
Criticising Musharraf, he said: "If Musharraf can spend crores on his own security, could he not spend some amount on the security of Bhutto?"
"We both were struggling for the same cause, and we had signed the charter of democracy," Sharif told a TV channel.
"It is tragic not only for PPP but also for my party," he said.
Sharif told Bhutto's supporters that he would fight "your war from now on", and that he shared the grief of "the entire nation".
Sharif was speaking outside the hospital where Bhutto died. "I assure you that I will fight your war from now," Sharif said.
"I myself feel threatened," Sharif said, and his party has temporarily suspended its election campaigns in the wake of the assassination.
"Are things in control now? Had things been in control, would this have happened?" he asked, adding that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf would have to give answers.
"I also feel unprotected, and the lady must also have been feeling very unprotected," Sharif said.
Criticising Musharraf, he said: "If Musharraf can spend crores on his own security, could he not spend some amount on the security of Bhutto?"
"We both were struggling for the same cause, and we had signed the charter of democracy," Sharif told a TV channel.
"It is tragic not only for PPP but also for my party," he said.
Sharif told Bhutto's supporters that he would fight "your war from now on", and that he shared the grief of "the entire nation".
Sharif was speaking outside the hospital where Bhutto died. "I assure you that I will fight your war from now," Sharif said.
Country has no future without free judiciary
Updated at: 1736 PST, Tuesday, January 27, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that PML (N) will fully support the long march of lawyers on March 9 and that the deposed judges should be restored without any further delay.
Addressing a press conference at the Punjab house, Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and PML (N) endorsed Charter of Democracy (CoD) so that the people of Pakistan could be empowered. He said the constitution was always violated by the dictators to serve their own agenda and that the creation of Pakistan was not meant to give indemnity to dictators and Martial laws.
Nawaz said that the 17th Amendment should be abolished; “Even the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) has tabled a bill in the parliament for its abolition”, he added. He further said that his party had given the 18th Amendment draft to Mian Raza Rabbani in this regard.
Responding to a question, Nawaz said he and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto discussed the CoD in Jeddah and that there was complete unanimity of views on the restoration of judiciary, ensuring the supremacy of constitution and strengthening democracy in the country. PML (N) leader said an independent judiciary could steer Pakistan out of present crises, he said that the government should restore all deposed judges.
Back
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that PML (N) will fully support the long march of lawyers on March 9 and that the deposed judges should be restored without any further delay.
Addressing a press conference at the Punjab house, Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and PML (N) endorsed Charter of Democracy (CoD) so that the people of Pakistan could be empowered. He said the constitution was always violated by the dictators to serve their own agenda and that the creation of Pakistan was not meant to give indemnity to dictators and Martial laws.
Nawaz said that the 17th Amendment should be abolished; “Even the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) has tabled a bill in the parliament for its abolition”, he added. He further said that his party had given the 18th Amendment draft to Mian Raza Rabbani in this regard.
Responding to a question, Nawaz said he and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto discussed the CoD in Jeddah and that there was complete unanimity of views on the restoration of judiciary, ensuring the supremacy of constitution and strengthening democracy in the country. PML (N) leader said an independent judiciary could steer Pakistan out of present crises, he said that the government should restore all deposed judges.
Back
Informal PA session hails Nawaz over long march
* Zulfiqar Khosa says even ‘angels’ would have accepted demands if Nawaz had led march to Islamabad
* Abdul Ghafoor says Nawaz put life in danger for saving nation
By Nauman Tasleem
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif should be declared Quaid-e-Inqilab-e-Pakistan (Leader of Revolution of Pakistan), as he kept his promise and played a vital role in the restoration of judiciary, members of the Punjab Assembly (PA) remarked on Wednesday.
The informal session of the PA praised the role of the PML-N and its leaders for making the lawyers’ movement successful.
PML-N senior leader Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa said Nawaz was very loyal and sincere with the nation and he had proved it by ending the long march after the reinstatement of sacked judges. Khosa said Nawaz had sacrificed personal interest over national interest.
Angels: He said if Nawaz had not ended the long march and had led it to Islamabad, even angels would have had to accept the demands. He paid tribute to lawyers, civil society, media and other political parties for making the long march successful. Khosa asked if the long march was a problem of Punjab, why the borders of NWFP, Balochistan and Sindh had been sealed. “It was the problem of the whole country and Nawaz Sharif proved that he is a national leader,” he added. He said Nawaz had forced a ‘civilian dictator’ to change the course.
Former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan had won its lost identity under Nawaz’s leadership. Sanaullah said by the restoration of judiciary, a number of changes would be brought in the country. “These changes would play an important role in making the future of Pakistan brighter,” he said. He said Nawaz had put his life in danger and made the long march successful. A PML-N MPA said March 16 should be declared the day of independent judiciary.
Life in danger: MPA Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor said Nawaz had been told not to leave his residence as he had a life threat, but the PML-N leader did not listen. “He put his life in danger and only come out for saving the nation,” Ghafoor said, adding that every person in the long march
* Abdul Ghafoor says Nawaz put life in danger for saving nation
By Nauman Tasleem
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif should be declared Quaid-e-Inqilab-e-Pakistan (Leader of Revolution of Pakistan), as he kept his promise and played a vital role in the restoration of judiciary, members of the Punjab Assembly (PA) remarked on Wednesday.
The informal session of the PA praised the role of the PML-N and its leaders for making the lawyers’ movement successful.
PML-N senior leader Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa said Nawaz was very loyal and sincere with the nation and he had proved it by ending the long march after the reinstatement of sacked judges. Khosa said Nawaz had sacrificed personal interest over national interest.
Angels: He said if Nawaz had not ended the long march and had led it to Islamabad, even angels would have had to accept the demands. He paid tribute to lawyers, civil society, media and other political parties for making the long march successful. Khosa asked if the long march was a problem of Punjab, why the borders of NWFP, Balochistan and Sindh had been sealed. “It was the problem of the whole country and Nawaz Sharif proved that he is a national leader,” he added. He said Nawaz had forced a ‘civilian dictator’ to change the course.
Former Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah said Pakistan had won its lost identity under Nawaz’s leadership. Sanaullah said by the restoration of judiciary, a number of changes would be brought in the country. “These changes would play an important role in making the future of Pakistan brighter,” he said. He said Nawaz had put his life in danger and made the long march successful. A PML-N MPA said March 16 should be declared the day of independent judiciary.
Life in danger: MPA Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor said Nawaz had been told not to leave his residence as he had a life threat, but the PML-N leader did not listen. “He put his life in danger and only come out for saving the nation,” Ghafoor said, adding that every person in the long march
Nawaz Sharif calls off ‘Long March’
Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Monday called off the `Long March` of opposition politicians and lawyers after incumbent Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced that deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry would be reinstated on March 21 after present Chief Justice Dogar retires.
Sacked judges to be reinstated in Pakistan
In an address to the nation, Gilani declared that President Zardari had agreed to most of Nawaz Sharif's demands. Gilani also ordered all political party activists and lawyers arrested over the past week to be released. "The compromise formula has been worked out with Zardari," Gilani said.
Pakistan unrest leaves Kashmiris worried
The announcement followed late night meeting between Gilani and President Zardari on crucial issues responsible for the current political crisis triggered by a confrontation between the ruling PPP and opposition PML-N.
Sacked judges to be reinstated in Pakistan
In an address to the nation, Gilani declared that President Zardari had agreed to most of Nawaz Sharif's demands. Gilani also ordered all political party activists and lawyers arrested over the past week to be released. "The compromise formula has been worked out with Zardari," Gilani said.
Pakistan unrest leaves Kashmiris worried
The announcement followed late night meeting between Gilani and President Zardari on crucial issues responsible for the current political crisis triggered by a confrontation between the ruling PPP and opposition PML-N.
Gilani orders foolproof security for Nawaz Sharif
* Prime minister, Raja Zafarul Haq discuss threats to PML-N chief
* Intelligence reports say Sharifs under threat, Malik tells Senate
Irfan Ghauri/Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani directed the Interior Ministry and Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer on Thursday to provide foolproof security to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and ensure his safety.
The direction came after a meeting between PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq and Prime Minister Gilani to discuss threats to Nawaz’s life. Raja handed over an anonymous threatening letter to the prime minister. The two leaders also discussed the political situation in the country. Meanwhile, Interior Adviser Rehman Malik told the Senate on Thursday that intelligence agencies have warned that the Sharif brothers’ lives were in danger and that a Mumbai-like incident could be replicated in Karachi.
Responding to PML-N parliamentary leader Ishaq Dar, he said that the government had urged the provincial governments, through a letter, to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the PML-N leadership. He said a copy of the letter had been forwarded to the Sharif brothers and to the Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence. Dar quoted media reports about plans to eliminate the top leadership of his party, and warned the PML-N would charge those in-charge of the affairs of the government in the FIR if such a plan materialised.
* Intelligence reports say Sharifs under threat, Malik tells Senate
Irfan Ghauri/Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani directed the Interior Ministry and Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer on Thursday to provide foolproof security to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and ensure his safety.
The direction came after a meeting between PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq and Prime Minister Gilani to discuss threats to Nawaz’s life. Raja handed over an anonymous threatening letter to the prime minister. The two leaders also discussed the political situation in the country. Meanwhile, Interior Adviser Rehman Malik told the Senate on Thursday that intelligence agencies have warned that the Sharif brothers’ lives were in danger and that a Mumbai-like incident could be replicated in Karachi.
Responding to PML-N parliamentary leader Ishaq Dar, he said that the government had urged the provincial governments, through a letter, to ensure foolproof security arrangements for the PML-N leadership. He said a copy of the letter had been forwarded to the Sharif brothers and to the Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence. Dar quoted media reports about plans to eliminate the top leadership of his party, and warned the PML-N would charge those in-charge of the affairs of the government in the FIR if such a plan materialised.
Tension rises in Pakistan after Nawaz Sharif defies house arrest to join 'long march'
Mr Sharif, a former Prime Minister, was placed under house arrest for three days in his hometown of Lahore yesterday, along with several other leaders of the march, which was due to culminate with a sit-in in front of the national parliament today. He broke through police barricades, however, and was in a convoy of 200 vehicles last night heading towards Islamabad, where he planned to join thousands of supporters and lawyers.
“Our destiny is Islamabad,” he told a television channel from inside his bullet-proof vehicle as it crawled through Lahore, surrounded by several thousand cheering supporters. “The response from the people is amazing. It is a golden moment in Pakistan’s history. It is a prelude to a revolution.”
Imran Khan, the cricket captain turned politician, who has been in hiding for the past few days, also vowed to bring thousands of people to today’s rally. “We will defeat the Government with people’s power,” he said.
The police in Punjab appeared to have abandoned their posts after detaining several of Mr Sharif’s supporters and firing teargas at lawyers in central Lahore earlier in the day. That raised questions over whether Mr Zardari would be able to stop Mr Sharif with the police and paramilitary forces, or would be forced to call in the army.
The United States, Britain and other Western governments, as well as many Pakistanis, fear that that could lead to a return to military rule in the nuclear-armed nation, which has been governed by the army for more than half of its 61-year history. US and British officials are also concerned that it could distract the army from fighting al-Qaeda and Taleban militants sheltering in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal areas, near the Afghan border.
Suspected militants attacked a transport terminal in northwestern Pakistan used to supply Nato and US forces in Afghanistan yesterday, setting fire to dozens of containers and military vehicles, in the latest in a series of similar attacks. Pakistan’s army says that it has been forced to bring reenforcements to Islamabad from northwestern Pakistan after the Government placed it on standby to protect sensitive areas in the capital and to back up police and paramilitary forces. “It may affect our fight against terrorists, but we don’t have any choice,” Rehman Malik, the Interior Minister, had told reporters in Islamabad.
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“Our destiny is Islamabad,” he told a television channel from inside his bullet-proof vehicle as it crawled through Lahore, surrounded by several thousand cheering supporters. “The response from the people is amazing. It is a golden moment in Pakistan’s history. It is a prelude to a revolution.”
Imran Khan, the cricket captain turned politician, who has been in hiding for the past few days, also vowed to bring thousands of people to today’s rally. “We will defeat the Government with people’s power,” he said.
The police in Punjab appeared to have abandoned their posts after detaining several of Mr Sharif’s supporters and firing teargas at lawyers in central Lahore earlier in the day. That raised questions over whether Mr Zardari would be able to stop Mr Sharif with the police and paramilitary forces, or would be forced to call in the army.
The United States, Britain and other Western governments, as well as many Pakistanis, fear that that could lead to a return to military rule in the nuclear-armed nation, which has been governed by the army for more than half of its 61-year history. US and British officials are also concerned that it could distract the army from fighting al-Qaeda and Taleban militants sheltering in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal areas, near the Afghan border.
Suspected militants attacked a transport terminal in northwestern Pakistan used to supply Nato and US forces in Afghanistan yesterday, setting fire to dozens of containers and military vehicles, in the latest in a series of similar attacks. Pakistan’s army says that it has been forced to bring reenforcements to Islamabad from northwestern Pakistan after the Government placed it on standby to protect sensitive areas in the capital and to back up police and paramilitary forces. “It may affect our fight against terrorists, but we don’t have any choice,” Rehman Malik, the Interior Minister, had told reporters in Islamabad.
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Former Pakistan Leader Sharif Desires Return
Morning Edition, June 7, 2007 · Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a coup in 1999. Now, Musharraf faces increasing pressure to step down after sacking the country's top judge. And Sharif says he'd like to return, as does another former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto.
Sharif says that if he returns to Pakistan he is willing to go to jail if it will take the struggle forward, faster.
"Well I have every intention to go back to Pakistan before the elections," Sharif tells Steve Inskeep. "And when will [the elections be] held, I don't know."
I'm just trying to figure out how that works if President Musharraf says he's not going to let you back in.
I think the people of Pakistan will let me back in. He can't stop me. There's no law which prevents me from coming back to my country. I am holding a Pakistani passport. How can Musharraf block my entry into Pakistan? Only he knows. Nobody else knows.
Sharif says that if he returns to Pakistan he is willing to go to jail if it will take the struggle forward, faster.
"Well I have every intention to go back to Pakistan before the elections," Sharif tells Steve Inskeep. "And when will [the elections be] held, I don't know."
I'm just trying to figure out how that works if President Musharraf says he's not going to let you back in.
I think the people of Pakistan will let me back in. He can't stop me. There's no law which prevents me from coming back to my country. I am holding a Pakistani passport. How can Musharraf block my entry into Pakistan? Only he knows. Nobody else knows.
Government reviews ban on Nawaz Sharif
Associated Press
The Observer, Sunday 15 March 2009
Article history
The Pakistani government said it would seek a review of a Supreme Court ruling last month that barred opposition leader Nawaz Sharif and his brother from elected office and triggered a political crisis.
"The federal government will file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the verdict of the Supreme Court," the president's spokesman, Faratullah Barbar, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's government put the army on stand-by ahead of planned opposition protests in the capital, the military said, raising the stakes in a crisis that endangers the country's efforts against Islamist extremism.
Authorities have vowed to prevent lawyers and supporters of Nawaz Sharif from converging on Islamabad for a mass sit-in in front of Parliament tomorrow, arguing it would paralyse the government and present a target for terrorists.
The Observer, Sunday 15 March 2009
Article history
The Pakistani government said it would seek a review of a Supreme Court ruling last month that barred opposition leader Nawaz Sharif and his brother from elected office and triggered a political crisis.
"The federal government will file a review petition in the Supreme Court against the verdict of the Supreme Court," the president's spokesman, Faratullah Barbar, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's government put the army on stand-by ahead of planned opposition protests in the capital, the military said, raising the stakes in a crisis that endangers the country's efforts against Islamist extremism.
Authorities have vowed to prevent lawyers and supporters of Nawaz Sharif from converging on Islamabad for a mass sit-in in front of Parliament tomorrow, arguing it would paralyse the government and present a target for terrorists.
Nawaz Sharif placed under house arrest
Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistani opposition leader, was placed under house arrest for three days early this morning to stop him from joining an anti-government protest march that has raised fears of a return to military rule.
Hundreds of riot police surrounded his home in the eastern city of Lahore after negotiations with the government collapsed, despite the intervention of Hillary Clinton, the U.S. Secretary of State.
Police moved in after Mr Sharif, a former Prime Minister, gave a rousing speech to his supporters last night, urging them to take to the streets to "fight this obsolete system" of government.
"The winds of change are blowing, and nobody can stop them," he said.
Related Links
Pakistan on edge as Zardari arouses rebellion
General pushes feuding leaders close to deal
"Whoever tries to stop them will be destroyed."
Similar restrictions were imposed on other opposition leaders including Imran Khan, the former cricketer turned politician, to prevent them from joining the “long march” to Islamabad, the capital, today to demand the re-instatement of several judges. However Mr Khan's aides said he had evaded police and was in hiding, preparing to make his way to the capital.
Hundreds of riot police surrounded his home in the eastern city of Lahore after negotiations with the government collapsed, despite the intervention of Hillary Clinton, the U.S. Secretary of State.
Police moved in after Mr Sharif, a former Prime Minister, gave a rousing speech to his supporters last night, urging them to take to the streets to "fight this obsolete system" of government.
"The winds of change are blowing, and nobody can stop them," he said.
Related Links
Pakistan on edge as Zardari arouses rebellion
General pushes feuding leaders close to deal
"Whoever tries to stop them will be destroyed."
Similar restrictions were imposed on other opposition leaders including Imran Khan, the former cricketer turned politician, to prevent them from joining the “long march” to Islamabad, the capital, today to demand the re-instatement of several judges. However Mr Khan's aides said he had evaded police and was in hiding, preparing to make his way to the capital.
Profile: Nawaz Sharif
Nawaz Sharif: Left Pakistan for exile in Saudi Arabia
The departure of Nawaz Sharif into exile in Saudi Arabia is the latest extraordinary twist in the career of a man who had been one of Pakistan's most powerful politicians.
The career of Nawaz Sharif
Born in 1947 in Lahore
Prime Minister in 1990
Prime Minister again in 1997
Overthrown in 1999
Goes into exile in 2000
Before his dramatic overthrow in a military coup in 1999, Mr Sharif appeared to dominate the political landscape.
He had convincing majorities in both houses of parliament, and exerted a powerful hold over all the country's major institutions - apart from the army.
But when the army seized power, Mr Sharif was arrested, and eventually sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of hijacking and terrorism.
He was also convicted of corruption and banned for life from political activities.
Punjab beginnings
Nawaz Sharif was born into the family of a prominent Lahore industrialist in 1949.
He made his mark in politics representing an urban constituency.
Wife Kulsoom: Led party into controversial alliance
He first came to national prominence when he was brought into the Punjab government during the early days of General Zia's martial law, serving as finance minister and then chief minister.
Although he was never considered a particularly impressive political figure, he proved himself a competent administrator during his time as chief minister.
He first became prime minister in 1990, but was dismissed in 1993, clearing the way for the opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, to form a government.
After becoming prime minister again in 1997 with a comfortable majority, Mr Sharif brought about a series of changes which were seen as part of an attempt to stifle any institutional opposition.
Strengthening his position
He controversially reversed a constitutional amendment which took away the president's powers to dismiss the prime minister.
Tension with the army heightened after Kashmir
A power struggle with the judiciary also gripped the country after Mr Sharif fell out with the then Chief Justice, Sajjad Ali Shah.
Mr Sharif faced possible disqualification from office after charges of contempt of court were brought against him, but these were eventually dismissed.
In 1998, he was confronted by another stand-off after a former army head said the army should formally have a say in the running of the government.
Tensions with the army resurfaced in 1999 when the prime minister used his influence to withdraw Pakistani-backed forces from the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir in 1999.
The army has always been a highly powerful institution in Pakistan.
Mr Sharif's overthrow by General Musharraf in a bloodless coup showed how dangerous it was for any politician to attempt to curtail its influence.
Party problems
His removal from active politics and his subsequent imprisonment led to serious differences emerging within his Pakistan Muslim League party.
These threatened to become an open split with a decision by some senior party members - led by Mr Sharif's wife - to join an opposition alliance against the military.
The move - which would have meant joining forces with arch-rival Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party - was deeply controversial with some party members.
Yet within the space of a few weeks, all that seemed irrelevant as Mr Sharif and his family left for exile in Saudi Arabia after the military agreed to free him from jail.
The family said no deal had been done with the military government, and that he had gone abroad for treatment to his heart.
Yet his sudden departure must now raise questions about whether his power base in Pakistani politics can last.
The departure of Nawaz Sharif into exile in Saudi Arabia is the latest extraordinary twist in the career of a man who had been one of Pakistan's most powerful politicians.
The career of Nawaz Sharif
Born in 1947 in Lahore
Prime Minister in 1990
Prime Minister again in 1997
Overthrown in 1999
Goes into exile in 2000
Before his dramatic overthrow in a military coup in 1999, Mr Sharif appeared to dominate the political landscape.
He had convincing majorities in both houses of parliament, and exerted a powerful hold over all the country's major institutions - apart from the army.
But when the army seized power, Mr Sharif was arrested, and eventually sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of hijacking and terrorism.
He was also convicted of corruption and banned for life from political activities.
Punjab beginnings
Nawaz Sharif was born into the family of a prominent Lahore industrialist in 1949.
He made his mark in politics representing an urban constituency.
Wife Kulsoom: Led party into controversial alliance
He first came to national prominence when he was brought into the Punjab government during the early days of General Zia's martial law, serving as finance minister and then chief minister.
Although he was never considered a particularly impressive political figure, he proved himself a competent administrator during his time as chief minister.
He first became prime minister in 1990, but was dismissed in 1993, clearing the way for the opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, to form a government.
After becoming prime minister again in 1997 with a comfortable majority, Mr Sharif brought about a series of changes which were seen as part of an attempt to stifle any institutional opposition.
Strengthening his position
He controversially reversed a constitutional amendment which took away the president's powers to dismiss the prime minister.
Tension with the army heightened after Kashmir
A power struggle with the judiciary also gripped the country after Mr Sharif fell out with the then Chief Justice, Sajjad Ali Shah.
Mr Sharif faced possible disqualification from office after charges of contempt of court were brought against him, but these were eventually dismissed.
In 1998, he was confronted by another stand-off after a former army head said the army should formally have a say in the running of the government.
Tensions with the army resurfaced in 1999 when the prime minister used his influence to withdraw Pakistani-backed forces from the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir in 1999.
The army has always been a highly powerful institution in Pakistan.
Mr Sharif's overthrow by General Musharraf in a bloodless coup showed how dangerous it was for any politician to attempt to curtail its influence.
Party problems
His removal from active politics and his subsequent imprisonment led to serious differences emerging within his Pakistan Muslim League party.
These threatened to become an open split with a decision by some senior party members - led by Mr Sharif's wife - to join an opposition alliance against the military.
The move - which would have meant joining forces with arch-rival Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party - was deeply controversial with some party members.
Yet within the space of a few weeks, all that seemed irrelevant as Mr Sharif and his family left for exile in Saudi Arabia after the military agreed to free him from jail.
The family said no deal had been done with the military government, and that he had gone abroad for treatment to his heart.
Yet his sudden departure must now raise questions about whether his power base in Pakistani politics can last.
Nawaz sees no justification for governor rule
Nawaz sees no justification for governor rule
LAHORE, Mar 18: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that restoration of judiciary is not the victory or defeat of any individual, but it is a triumph of Pakistan and rule of law.
Addressing a news conference here on Wednesday, he said: “Our society has witnessed a revolution through people power and this process should continue in the future too.”
Judges’ restoration gives birth to revolution: Shahbaz
LAHORE, Mar 17: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif says that we salute Mian Nawaz Sharif on his struggle for the restoration of deposed judges.
Addressing the part’s workers here on Tuesday, he said: “Judges’ restoration has given birth to revolution in the country’s history.” While in Photo, President PML-N Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif addresses his party workers at Model Town.
Nawaz vows to end 'outdated system' with mass support
LAHORE, Mar 17: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif congratulated the nation Tuesday on the reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
Addressing a public gathering at his Model Town residence, Nawaz termed the restoration a historic decision to save the system and Pakistan. He asked the people to support him to steer the country out of present challenges. He said the restoration of deposed judges is the first step toward taking Pakistan to newer heights of socio-economic turnaround.
LAHORE, Mar 18: Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that restoration of judiciary is not the victory or defeat of any individual, but it is a triumph of Pakistan and rule of law.
Addressing a news conference here on Wednesday, he said: “Our society has witnessed a revolution through people power and this process should continue in the future too.”
Judges’ restoration gives birth to revolution: Shahbaz
LAHORE, Mar 17: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif says that we salute Mian Nawaz Sharif on his struggle for the restoration of deposed judges.
Addressing the part’s workers here on Tuesday, he said: “Judges’ restoration has given birth to revolution in the country’s history.” While in Photo, President PML-N Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif addresses his party workers at Model Town.
Nawaz vows to end 'outdated system' with mass support
LAHORE, Mar 17: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif congratulated the nation Tuesday on the reinstatement of deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
Addressing a public gathering at his Model Town residence, Nawaz termed the restoration a historic decision to save the system and Pakistan. He asked the people to support him to steer the country out of present challenges. He said the restoration of deposed judges is the first step toward taking Pakistan to newer heights of socio-economic turnaround.
'Collective efforts' paved way for Musharraf’s exit
'Collective efforts' paved way for Musharraf’s exit: Nawaz
RAIWIND, Mar 13: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that his party forced former President Pervez Musharraf to step down and the PPP or President Asif Ali Zardari did not do it all alone.
In an exclusive interview with Geo news senior correspondent Hamid Mir, Nawaz termed the NRO a big obstacle in the country’s progress and judicial independence. The PML-N chief said he has great respect for an independent judiciary but would not support the biased judiciary.
Restoration of sacked judiciary is victory of entire country: Hashmi
ISLAMABAD, Mar 16 (Online): Leader Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Javed Hashmi has said that the restoration of sacked judiciary is victory of the entire country.
Nawas vows to root out ‘politics of hypocrisy, fraud’
* Parliament, Courts and Constitution are assets of masses: Nawaz Sharif
FAISALABAD, Mar 07: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif Saturday said he would not sit in rest until he roots out what he called the politics of hypocrisy and fraud.
PML-N’s General Council to meet on March 23
LAHORE, Mar 18: The Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has convened party’s General Council meeting in Raiwind on March 23 while president Turkey also called Nawaz and expressed greetings over the reinstatement of deposed judges to November 2, 2007 position.
PML-N to besiege Governor House against governor rule: Sana
LAHORE, Mar 19: Pakistan Muslim League-N leader and former provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah has threatened to lay siege to the Governor House against the governor rule in Punjab.
PML-N mulls filing plea in Sharifs case: Khosa
LAHORE, Mar 18: Pakistan Muslim League-N central leader Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa has said the PML-N is considering to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the disqualification of Sharif brothers.
RAIWIND, Mar 13: Pakistan Muslim League-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif said on Friday that his party forced former President Pervez Musharraf to step down and the PPP or President Asif Ali Zardari did not do it all alone.
In an exclusive interview with Geo news senior correspondent Hamid Mir, Nawaz termed the NRO a big obstacle in the country’s progress and judicial independence. The PML-N chief said he has great respect for an independent judiciary but would not support the biased judiciary.
Restoration of sacked judiciary is victory of entire country: Hashmi
ISLAMABAD, Mar 16 (Online): Leader Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Javed Hashmi has said that the restoration of sacked judiciary is victory of the entire country.
Nawas vows to root out ‘politics of hypocrisy, fraud’
* Parliament, Courts and Constitution are assets of masses: Nawaz Sharif
FAISALABAD, Mar 07: Pakistan Muslim League-N Chief Nawaz Sharif Saturday said he would not sit in rest until he roots out what he called the politics of hypocrisy and fraud.
PML-N’s General Council to meet on March 23
LAHORE, Mar 18: The Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has convened party’s General Council meeting in Raiwind on March 23 while president Turkey also called Nawaz and expressed greetings over the reinstatement of deposed judges to November 2, 2007 position.
PML-N to besiege Governor House against governor rule: Sana
LAHORE, Mar 19: Pakistan Muslim League-N leader and former provincial law minister Rana Sanaullah has threatened to lay siege to the Governor House against the governor rule in Punjab.
PML-N mulls filing plea in Sharifs case: Khosa
LAHORE, Mar 18: Pakistan Muslim League-N central leader Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa has said the PML-N is considering to file an appeal in the Supreme Court against the disqualification of Sharif brothers.
Peace full Politifcal Leader
Supporters of Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif took to the streets Thursday, burning cars and damaging shops, after the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that he and his brother cannot hold elected officeOnce allergic to being tied to Washington's war on terror, the country's targeted political cPakistan's ruling coalition collapsed Monday, torn apart by internal bickering just a week after Pervez Musharraf's ouster and underscoring fears that the government would be distracted from its fight against Islamic extremistslass is beginning to see it as their own struggle.Pakistan's ruling coalition collapsed Monday, torn apart by internal bickering just a week after Pervez Musharraf's ouster and underscoring fears that the government would be distracted from its fight against Islamic extremistsPolice in Pakistan arrested lawyers holding a public protest to demand that the government immediately restore judges the previous president had ousted, Karachi's police chief told CNN Thursday. full story
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