Nawaz Sharif

Nawaz Sharif – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Nawaz Sharif (born December 25, 1949) is a Pakistani businessman turned politician who has served three times as Prime Minister of Pakistan. This deep biography covers his early life, political rise, controversies, legacy, and memorable quotations.

Introduction

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is one of the most prominent political figures in Pakistan’s modern history. Born into a business family, he rose to power through provincial politics and ambitious infrastructure programs, eventually serving as Prime Minister in three non-consecutive terms. His career has been marked by both great development projects and fraught conflicts — with the military, courts, and legal scrutiny. His life tells a story not only of personal ambition and achievement, but also of the turbulent forces that shape Pakistani democracy.

Early Life and Family

Nawaz Sharif was born on December 25, 1949, in Lahore, in the Punjab province of West Pakistan. He hails from a Punjabi family of Kashmiri origin; his parents migrated from the Anantnag area (in Kashmir) before the Partition, settling in the Lahore region. His father, Muhammad Sharif, was an industrialist who founded the Ittefaq Group and Sharif Group — businesses in steel, sugar, and other sectors.

Growing up in a business environment, Nawaz was exposed early to the challenges of running enterprises in a changing political economy. The fortunes and struggles of his family’s businesses would later shape his political orientation, especially around privatization and economic liberalization.

For his education, Nawaz attended Government College University, Lahore, and then studied law at University of the Punjab. During these years, he developed a network of contacts and an understanding of both business and public administration that would help in his later political life.

In April 1971, he married Kulsoom Nawaz. The couple had four children: two sons (Hussain, Hassan) and two daughters (Maryam, Asma). His daughter Maryam Nawaz later became an influential political figure in her own right.

Political Beginnings & Rise in Punjab

Though he is best known as a national leader, Nawaz Sharif’s political roots lie in the provincial politics of Punjab.

• In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Pakistan’s political landscape was dominated by military rule and controlled party structures. Nawaz entered politics under the regime of General Zia ul-Haq.

• In 1981, he was appointed Provincial Minister for Finance in Punjab by the martial-law regime.

• In 1985, when elections were held under non-party arrangements, he was elected Chief Minister of Punjab.

• His performance as CM, and his connections with industrial and business elites, strengthened his base in Punjab — Pakistan’s most populous and politically influential province.

His control in Punjab set the stage for national ambitions. It also tied his political fortunes to Pakistan’s dominant provincial power structure, and to the balance between civilian government and military influence.

Terms as Prime Minister & National Politics

Nawaz Sharif became Prime Minister on three occasions. Each term had distinct themes, challenges, and outcomes.

First Term (1990–1993)

• In 1990, backed by conservative alliances and support from segments of the military-intelligence establishment, he ascended to the Prime Ministership.

• His government focused on privatization and rolling back nationalization policies of earlier decades. He introduced economic liberalization, allowed greater private sector participation, and restructured sectors like banking and industry.

• However, his government faced institutional friction — particularly with the presidency and the military — and was dismissed in 1993 when President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dissolved the National Assembly.

Second Term (1997–1999)

• In the 1997 elections, Sharif’s party (PML-N) won a strong mandate. He introduced constitutional amendments to limit the power of the president, strengthened the executive branch, and consolidated control over governance.

• One of his signature infrastructure projects was the M2 Motorway (Lahore to Islamabad), often hailed as one of Pakistan’s first major modern highways.

• He also sought to deepen privatization, open capital markets, and improve economic growth.

• But his second term ended abruptly in October 1999, after Pervez Musharraf led a military coup. Sharif was removed from office and put on trial.

Exile, Return & Third Term (2013–2017)

• After the coup, Sharif was tried, imprisoned, and eventually exiled after a negotiated settlement. He stayed in London for a number of years.

• In 2007, he returned to Pakistan and reentered politics.

• In 2013, his party won elections and he became Prime Minister again.

• His third term emphasized infrastructure development, energy projects, and expanding economic ties with China (particularly via the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC).

• However, his third term was cut short in July 2017, when Pakistan’s Supreme Court disqualified him from office on charges related to the Panama Papers and failure to declare assets.

Thus, though Sharif has been one of Pakistan’s longest-serving prime ministers cumulatively, none of his terms ended in full planned completion.

Historical Milestones & Context

Understanding Sharif’s legacy requires placing him in the broader political, institutional, and economic dynamics of Pakistan.

• Civilian–military tension: A constant theme in Sharif’s career is the tussle between civilian authority and military power. His second term was cut by a military coup; his judicial disqualification demonstrates the power of courts in Pakistan’s political equilibrium.

• Privatization and liberalization push: Earlier decades of nationalization had constrained private industry; Sharif’s administrations sought to reverse that, often in contested terrain.

• Infrastructure as political capital: Projects like motorways, energy plants, and CPEC-linked ventures served not only developmental goals but also political legitimacy.

• Judiciary activism & accountability: The Supreme Court’s removal of Sharif in 2017 is emblematic of how Pakistan’s courts have become kingmakers and power brokers.

• Role of exile and comeback: Sharif’s return from exile illustrates how Pakistani politics permits — albeit precariously — the reinstatement of ousted leaders.

• Dynastic politics: The Sharif family has remained central in PML-N politics. Relations between Nawaz and his brother Shehbaz Sharif, and his daughter Maryam’s role, play into intra-party dynamics.

• Geopolitics and foreign alignment: His embrace of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and alignment with regional powers (e.g. Saudi Arabia) reflect Pakistan’s strategic location and economic vulnerabilities.

Legacy and Influence

Nawaz Sharif’s legacy is ambivalent, with both critics and supporters pointing to distinct achievements and flaws:

• Development contributions: His infrastructure initiatives (motorways, energy, connectivity) are widely credited with tangible progress in several regions.

• Political resilience: His ability to rise, fall, and return to prominence demonstrates a rare staying power in Pakistani politics.

• Economic liberalization: His push for privatization and market reforms reshaped Pakistan’s economic policy direction, even if implementation was uneven.

• Institutional strain: The controversies, populist executive consolidation, clashes with the judiciary and military, and allegations of corruption have fueled criticisms of democratic backsliding.

• Symbol of opposition politics: Even after disqualification, Sharif continues to influence political discourse, party strategy, and public sentiment.

• Impact on dynastic rule: His family’s continued dominance suggests Pakistan’s politics is still heavily shaped by political dynasties.

His disqualification and legal challenges may also curtail his direct political role in coming years, but his imprint on institutional politics endures.

Personality and Traits

• Pragmatic and business-minded: Sharif often frames politics in terms of economics, enterprise, and development—reflecting his business roots.

• Ambitious and confident: His repeated returns to power, even after setbacks, show ambition and tenacity.

• Conservative and populist mix: He blends conservatism (especially in social-cultural rhetoric) with populist appeals focusing on growth, jobs, infrastructure.

• Adaptive strategist: He has shifted alliances and adjusted tactics depending on political necessity (e.g. negotiating exits, aligning with judicial or foreign actors).

• Polarizing figure: To supporters, he’s a champion of development and civilian governance; to critics, he embodies privileges and institutional overreach.

Famous Quotes of Nawaz Sharif

Here are several notable quotations credited to him, reflecting his views on democracy, development, and public service:

1. “What are we fighting the terrorists for if we ourselves do not even stand up for democracy — civil liberties and fundamental rights — which includes independence of the judiciary.”

2. “We applauded and endorsed the One Belt, One Road initiative and we are proud that together with China, we are implementing its flagship mega project — China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.”

3. “I want to see Pakistan as a developed country.”

These statements illustrate his focus on institutional democracy, economic growth, and strategic alignment with major powers.

Lessons from Nawaz Sharif

From the complex life of Nawaz Sharif, some broader lessons emerge:

• Balance ambition with institutional respect: While bold leadership can drive progress, sustainability depends on institutional checks and cooperative governance.

• Adaptability matters: Political survival in volatile systems requires tactical flexibility, alliances, and sometimes compromise.

• Infrastructure is political as well as developmental: Tangible projects deliver both utility and political legitimacy.

• Accountability carries consequences: Even powerful leaders can be held to account via courts or other institutions, in politics as in business.

• Legacy outlasts tenure: Even after leaving office, a leader’s influence continues through party structures, family, and public memory.

Conclusion

Nawaz Sharif’s journey from business scion to three-time Prime Minister is a story of ambition, resilience, triumphs, and controversies. His policy initiatives—especially in infrastructure and economic liberalization—left a lasting mark on Pakistan’s governance and development trajectory. Yet his recurring clashes with non-civil institutions, legal challenges, and disqualification episodes underscore the fragile nature of power in Pakistani politics.

Whether viewed as a builder or a lightning rod, his influence continues to shape political debates in Pakistan. For those wanting to understand modern Pakistan, his life is a lens into the challenges—both promising and perilous—of democratic governance in a nation of deep institutional tensions.

Explore more of his speeches, writings, and policy records to gain deeper insight into his vision and the contradictions that defined his public life.