Ans: Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s Government:
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif enjoyed two terms for ruling the country:
First Government Term
(November 1990 to July 1993)
Second Government Term
(February 1997 to October 1999)
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s First Government:
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League took the oath as
Prime Minister of the country on November 1990. The important events of
his first term are as under:
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6.
Announcement of Agricultural Poliev
Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif government announced Agricultural Policy
for the betterment of the farmers in 1991.10 crore rupees were allocated for
this policy.
Privatization Commission:
The government constituted Privatization Commission in 1991. Official
banks and financial institutions were reformed accordingly. Banks in private
sector were encouraged. Some banks and other institutions were sold out
through this Privatization Commission which created a positive impact on the
national economy.
Agreement Among Provinces on Water Distribution:
A most dispute was going on the water distribution of the River Indus among
the four provinces of Pakistan. Through the efforts of the government, an
agreement was signed among the provinces and the dispute of water was
resolved forever.
Baitul Maals
The government of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif established Baitul Maal
in 1992 which provided financial help and aid for the poor.
Forsign Policy:
The government brought many positive changes in its foreign policy. Peace was
brought in Afghanistan through negotiation with different Afghan leaders. Efforts
were continued for patching up among different groups. India was officially
invited for resolving Kashmir issue, but these negotiations were not successful.
When extremists in India demolished Babri Mosque in 1992, National Assembly
of Pakistan passed a condemnation resolution. The government of Pakistan
made its best efforts for establishing good relations with America and the rest of
the world. Pakistan adopted a defensive policy at the American invasion of Iraq.
National Plans:
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The government started national schemes like National Construction
Programme, Self-Employment Scheme, Motorway Project and Yellow Cab
Scheme for betterment of people which proved to be quite successful. The
Dismissal of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Government President: Ghulam
Ishaq Khan dismissed Nawaz Sharif’s government under section 58-2-B of the
1.
constitution in April 1993. He had ruled for about 2 years. Mr. Balakh Sher
Mazari was appointed as Garetaker Prime Minister. The Muslim League filed an
appeal against this presidential decision in the Supreme Court. The Supreme
Court cancelled the presidential decision and restored Nawaz Sharifs
government. But differences between Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Nawaz Sharif got
more tense. At last, Nawaz Sharif resigned as the Prime Minister of Pakistan
and Ghulam Ishaq Khan resigned from the post of the President of Pakistan in
July 1993. Moeen Qureshi was selected as caretaker Prime Minister and
announced elections in the country.
Second Term of Government of Mr. Nawaz Sharif:
New elections were conducted and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was
again elected as PM in February 1997. Here are some important events of
the government.
1.The Resignations of Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Farooq Ahmed
Khan Leghari:
After one month, differences developed between Chief Justice of Pakistan, Sajjad
Ali Shah, and Nawaz Govt. The confrontation was resolved through army
intervention and Chief Justice had to resign from his office. President of Pakistan,
Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, also resigned from the Presidency later on.
2.Justice (Retd) Rafiq Tarar Elected as President of Pakistan:
Justice (Retd) Rafiq Tarar was elected as President against Aftab Shaban
Mirani of People’s Party in Dec. 1997 and became the President of
Pakistan.
3.Retire Debt, Adorn the Country’ Scheme:
Economic condition of the country was not improving and the government
had to take loans from the IMF for its budget. Nawaz Sharif started a
scheme called ‘Retire debt, adorn the country’ and appealed to the nation to
pay off the foreign loans. The nation welcomed this scheme and about 17
billion rupees were collected till June 1999 in this head.
4.Rights of Vote to Pakistanis Abroad:
The government gave the right to vote to Pakistanis living abroad which
developed their interest towards Pakistan.
5.Restriction on Floor Crossing:
The government imposed restriction on party floor crossing by the members
of the Assembly under 14th amendment of the 1973 constitution. Through
this amendment the elected member of the Assembly was bound to give the
vote of confidence only to their own party leader. Violator was to be expelled
from the party.
6.Census of 1998:
The census of the people was conducted in 1998. The population of the
country reached over 13 crores according to this census.
7.The Announcement of an Education Policy:
Syed Ghous Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Education announced the new
educational policy in 1998, which was aimed at opening many new
academic institutions.
8.Lahore-Islamabad Motorway:
The Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, one of the longest motorways of South
Asia, was a great achievement of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. It was
planned in his first term, but was completed in his second term. Mian
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif himself inaugurated the Motorway in 1998
9.The Repeal of Clause 58-2-B From the 1973 Constitution:
Clause. 58-2-B of the constitution which gave president the power to
dissolve the National Assembly at any time, was removed from the 1973
constitution by Nawaz government with the support of the opposition through
the 13th Amendment.
10.Atomic Blasts:
The Nawaz government had shattered the dreams of superiority of India in
the atomic field by doing atomic blasts on 28th May 1998. This made
Pakistan the 7th atomic power of the world.
11.Lahore Declaration:
The Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, visited Lahore by bus with a
message of peace and goodwill. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif welcomed
him at Wagah Border. Both leaders announced many plans to normalize
mutual relations. A joint communique was signed which was called ‘Lahore
Declaration’.
12.The Entry of the Army into WAPDA:
WAPDA was handed over to army by the Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
government to root out its corruption and to reduce load-shedding in 1999.
This produced very encouraging results.
13.Kargil Invasion:
In 1999, a war broke out between India and Pakistan on Kargil. Later, on
intervention of the American President, Bill Clinton, both countries declared
ceasefire.
The Removal of Nawaz Sharif Government:
General Parvez Musharraf removed the democratic government of Mian
Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and took over the country on 12th October 1999.
The ‘Plane Hijack Case’ was filed against Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He was sentenced to imprisonment and was declared unfit for any public
post by a special court. On the intervention of Saudi Government, he was
sent in exile to Saudi Arabia.