Nawaz Sharif 1997-99 ( O Level Pakistan studies)

 

Nawaz Sharif 1997-99

Q. Explain how successful was Nawaz Sharif's government during 1997 to 1999. Also write about the reasons of end of his rule in 1999. 

During this era Nawaz got the highest mandate in elections and decided to end 8th amendment to strengthen his position as the prime Minister of the country. he also decided to take some bold steps when nuclear testing was done in Balochistan which had its positive and negative impacts. Public, National and international levels were convinced that Pakistan is one of the superpowers in their defuse department who had nuclear devices to protect themselves. Pakistanis were proud to have active nuclear weapons. But there were some negative aspects also e.g: Pakistan had to face sanctions imposed by USA and Japan. Pakistan’s imports and exports were badly hurt. When the government became bankrupt, Sharif’s government had to rise up the prices of the daily commodities inside the country. This reduced the popularity of the government and there were fewer chances of next elections to be won.

 Nawaz Sharif wanted his authority on each and every department of the country e.g: media, judiciary and army. These all three strong departments reacted in such a manner which caused the end of Nawaz government.

 Nawaz Sharif’s government ended due to following reasons. In May 1997, Nawaz Sharif’s secret police attacked the house of Najam Sethi( A popular Journalist) and kidnapped him. No one could locate where he was taken. Later on he was released due to international pressure. Sharif wanted to deal Journalists with high handedness and have strong control over country's journalism. In the meanwhile another case was opened that Nawaz Sharif was fighting against Supreme Court also. When Supreme Court accused him for corruption, his supporters attacked on the Supreme Court and threatened the life of Chief Justice, Sajjad Ali Shah. Chief Justice was forced to abandon the cases against Nawaz Sharif. This storming mob was controlled only by tear gas and baton-beating by the police. President Laghari was also forced to dismiss the Chief Justice. Due to government pressure Sajjad Ali Shah was dismissed on 23^rd December 1997 and Ajmal Mian was appointee at his place.

Nawaz Sharif’s was all the time seeking for power over army also. Army generals have been working as the chiefs of national Security Council of Pakistan. But when chief of army staff, Jehangir Karamat, asked for his due position of NSCP, he was dismissed and fifteenth amendment was introduced in the constitution, which mentioned that prime minister had the right to be most authoritative according to Shariat law because Islam used to give maximum authority to Khalifa on the Islamic state. General Pervaiz Musharraf was appointed by Nawaz Sharif himself as new C-in-C. After sometime, Pervaiz Musharraf secretly launched the Kargil mission which was to liberate Kashmir. Nawaz Sharif had the threat that Perwaiz Musharraf could replace him and could become more popular if Kashmir was liberated by his mission. Sharif decided to replace General Musharaf and was waiting for any chance to show the scene natural.

On 12^th Oct 1999 when Musharaf was returning from a visit to Sri Lanka, Sharif ordered civil aviation authority to not to give permission to land the plane. In the meanwhile in panic, Nawaz Sharif appointed the new ISI head and the new chief of army staff. Army refused to accept him and provided a cover to the plane of Musharaf to be landed on Karachi airport safely. Army took control of the government immediately and NS was charged for attempting the murder of Musharaf and 265 passengers in the plane as well as for plane high jacking known as “plane conspiracy case”. When Nawaz was in jail, Saudi royal family requested for Nawaz to be liberated and exiled to Saudia. So Musharaf government exiled Sharif family and placed restriction of 10 years for not to participate in the politics.