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Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister of Pakistan (2022–2023; 2024–present) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif[a] (born 23 September 1951) is a Pakistani politician and businessman who has served as the 20th prime minister of Pakistan since March 2024, having previously been in the role between April 2022 to August 2023. He has also served as the president of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) and chief minister of Punjab three times, making him the longest-serving person in the role.
Shehbaz was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in 1988 and to the National Assembly of Pakistan in 1990. He was again elected to the Punjab Assembly in 1993 and named leader of the opposition. He was elected as chief minister of Pakistan's most populous province, Punjab, for the first time on 20 February 1997. After the 1999 Pakistani coup d'état, Shehbaz, along with his family, spent years of self-exile in Saudi Arabia, returning to Pakistan in 2007. Shehbaz was appointed chief minister for a second term after the PML-N's victory in Punjab province in the 2008 Pakistani general election. He was elected as chief minister of Punjab for the third time in the 2013 general election and served his term until his party's defeat in the 2018 general election. During his tenure as chief minister, Shehbaz undertook development initiatives including transportation in Lahore. Shehbaz was nominated as the president of the Pakistan Muslim League-N after his brother, Nawaz Sharif, was disqualified from holding office in the wake of the Panama Papers case.
He was nominated as the leader of the opposition after the 2018 election, and elected prime minister in 2022 after the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan was passed in the National Assembly. After the PML(N) won a minority in the 2024 general election, Sharif became prime minister with a coalition government.
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Early life and education
Shehbaz was born on 23 September 1951[3][4][5] in Lahore, West Punjab.[6] His father, Muhammad Sharif, was an upper-middle-class businessman and industrialist whose family had emigrated from Anantnag in Kashmir for business, and eventually settled in the village of Jati Umra in Amritsar district, Punjab, at the beginning of the twentieth century. His mother's family came from Pulwama.[7] Following the partition of India and Pakistan's independence in 1947, his parents migrated from Amritsar to Lahore.[8] He has two brothers, Abbas Sharif and Nawaz Sharif. Nawaz is a three-time elected Prime Minister of Pakistan. Nawaz's wife, Kulsoom Nawaz, was the First Lady of Pakistan for three non-consecutive terms and his daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif is the current Chief Minister of Punjab.
Shehbaz attended St. Anthony High School, Lahore and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Government College University, Lahore.[9] After his graduation, he joined his family-owned Ittefaq Group. He was elected president of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 1985.[6][10] Shehbaz can speak Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, English, German and Arabic.[11]
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Early political career
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Shehbaz began his political career after getting elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Constituency PP-122 (Lahore-VII) as a candidate of Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (JI) in the 1988 general election.[10][12][13] He secured 22,372 votes and defeated a candidate of Pakistan People's Party (PPP).[12] However, his term prematurely ended in 1990 when the assemblies were dissolved.[9][14]
He was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Constituency PP-124 (Lahore-IX) as a candidate of IJI in the 1990 general election. He received 26,408 votes and defeated a candidate of Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDA).[12] In the same election, he was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan from Constituency NA-96 (Lahore-V) as a candidate of IJI. He secured 54,506 votes and defeated Jehangir Bader.[10][15] He vacated the Provincial Punjab Assembly seat to retain his National Assembly seat.[13] His term prematurely ended in 1993[9] when the assemblies were dissolved.[14]
He was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Constituency PP-125 (Lahore-X) as a candidate of Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) in the 1993 general election.[13] He received 28,068 votes and defeated a candidate of PPP.[12] In the same election, he was re-elected to the National Assembly from Constituency NA-96 (Lahore-V) as a candidate of PML-N. He secured 55,867 votes and defeated Yousuf Salahuddin.[15] He vacated the National Assembly seat and retained his Provincial Punjab Assembly seat.[10] Shortly after the election, he was elected Leader of Opposition in the Provincial Assembly of Punjab.[16] During his tenure as leader of the opposition, he remained in the United Kingdom for some years due for medical treatment. In his absence, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was made acting leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly.[16][17] His term as Member of the Punjab Assembly and the Leader of the Opposition prematurely ended in November 1996[9] when the assemblies were dissolved.[10][14]
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First term as chief minister of Punjab (1997–1999)
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Shehbaz Sharif was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Constituency PP-125 (Lahore-X) as a candidate of PML-N in the 1997 general election.[13] He received 25,013 votes and defeated a candidate of PPP.[12] In the same election, he was re-elected to the National Assembly from Constituency NA-96 (Lahore-V) as a candidate of PML-N. He secured 47,614 votes and defeated Hanif Ramay.[15] He was elected as the Chief Minister of Punjab for the first time and was sworn in as 13th Chief Minister of Punjab on 20 February 1997.[3][16]
During his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab, he was praised for his good governance in the province because of his focus on health, education, agriculture and industrial sectors.[6][16] He undertook several development projects in Lahore and launched a crackdown on criminals across the province to maintain law and order in the province.[16]
He held his office until 12 October 1999 when was removed from the post of Chief Minister in the 1999 Pakistani coup d'état.[6][9][10][14] Following the coup he was imprisoned.[9] In December 2000, he along with his immediate family members was exiled forcibly to Saudi Arabia[6] following the request of the Saudi royal family.[16][18]
While in exile in Saudi Arabia, Shehbaz was elected as the President of PML-N in August 2002[10][16] and moved to the United Kingdom in mid-2003 for medical treatment.[18]
Trial and exile (1999–2007)
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In 1999, a complainant Saeeduddin lodged FIR and accused Shehbaz of allowing the Sabzazar police, as the Chief Minister of the Punjab, to kill his son along with other men in a fake encounter.[19] In the encounter, his two sons and three other people were killed by the police.[20][21]
In 2003, an anti-terrorism court summoned Shehbaz and five others accused in alleged extrajudicial killings in 1998. He was in the exile at that time and failed to show-up to the court. Later, the court issued an arrest warrant for Shehbaz.[22][23] In 2004, Shehbaz attempted to return to Pakistan to appear before the court, but was forcibly deported back to Saudi Arabia.[16][23]
In August 2007, the Supreme Court of Pakistan gave its verdict which allowed Sharif brothers to return to Pakistan.[24] In September 2007, an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan ordered police to arrest Shehbaz based on a 2003 arrest warrant.[23][25] He later got bail from anti-terrorism court.[26] Shehbaz denied ordering the alleged killings and said the charges against him were politically motivated.[23] He further said that in 2004, he had landed at the Lahore Airport wanting to appear before the court, but was sent back to Saudi Arabia by the government in violation of the orders of the Supreme Court.[27] In 2008, he was acquitted by the Anti-Terrorism Court in the Sabzazar case.[20]
Shehbaz Sharif was re-elected as the president of PML-N for a second term in August 2006[10][16] and returned to Pakistan along with Nawaz Sharif in November 2007.[16]
Shehbaz was ineligible to take part in the 2008 general election due to Sabzazar case, but a few months later he was acquitted by the court.[28][20]
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Second and third term as chief minister of Punjab (2008–2018)
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Shehbaz was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab unopposed from Constituency PP-48 (Bhakkar-II) as a candidate of PML-N in the by-election held in June 2008.[29][30] Subsequently, he was elected unopposed as the Chief Minister of Punjab, receiving 265 votes unopposed after securing 265 votes.[10][13] Later, in June 2008, while holding the Assembly seat from Constituency PP-48 (Bhakkar-II), Shehbaz contested for a seat in the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from Constituency PP-10 (Rawalpindi-X). He was elected unopposed but resigned from this seat due to a dispute regarding his eligibility to serve as chief minister.[31][32]
His second term as chief minister was interrupted on 25 February 2009 when the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared him ineligible to hold public office, resulting in the vacancy of his seat in the Punjab Assembly and his removal from the office of Chief Minister.[33] On 1 April 2009, a five-member larger bench of the Supreme Court overturned the earlier decision, reinstating Shehbaz as chief minister.[34]
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In the 2013 general election, Shehbaz was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab from three Constituencies PP-159 (Lahore-XXIII), PP-161 (Lahore-XXV) and PP-247 (Rajanpur-I), as a PML-N candidate. In the same election, he was re-elected to the National Assembly from Constituency NA-129 (Lahore-XII).[35] Sharif chose to retain his Provincial Assembly seat PP-159 (Lahore-XXIII) and was re-elected as chief minister of Punjab for the third time, receiving 300 votes in the 371-member Provincial Assembly.[36][37]
In 2016, Shehbaz was elected unopposed as the president of Punjab chapter of PML-N in intra-party elections.[38]
On 29 July 2017, following the disqualification of outgoing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after the Panama Papers case decision, Shehbaz was named leader of the PML-N and their candidate for the office of prime minister.[39][40][41] However, he was not a member of the National Assembly, so Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was asked to serve as the interim prime minister of Pakistan, allowing Shehbaz enough time to enter the legislature through a by-election.[42] Later, Shehbaz decided to complete his tenure as the chief minister of Punjab until the next general election.[43][44]
In December 2017, Shehbaz was named as the candidate of PML-N for the office of prime minister in the 2018 general election.[45][46]
In February 2018, Shehbaz was appointed the interim president of the PML-N.[47][48] In March 2018, he was elected unopposed as the president of PML-N.[49] It was reported that the establishment had previously offered Shehbaz the position of prime minister of Pakistan on several occasions, which he did not accept.[50]
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Leader of the Opposition (2018–2022)
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Shehbaz Sharif was elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PML-N from Constituency NA-132 (Lahore-X) in the 2018 Pakistani general election. In the same election, he was re-elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab as a candidate of PML-N from Constituency PP-164 (Lahore-XXI) and PP-165 (Lahore-XXII).[51] Following his successful election, he abandoned his Punjab seats in favour of the National assembly seat.[52]
On 16 August 2018, he was nominated by PML-N for the office of Prime Minister of Pakistan.[53] The following day, he secured 96 votes, losing to Imran Khan.[54] Later, he was nominated for the office of Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly by 111 members of the National Assembly.[55] On 20 August 2018, he was notified as Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. Concurrently, he served as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee from 22 December 2018 until 28 November 2019, when he resigned and was succeeded by Rana Tanveer Hussain Rana Tanveer Hussain.
In September 2020, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Shehbaz Sharif on charges of laundering Rs. 7,328 million (US$41 million) through a purported scheme involving close associates and family members.[56] NAB had previously frozen 23 properties owned by Sharif, his son, and other relatives, alleging these assets were acquired through unknown sources of income and that foreign funds were funneled via fake transactions through a company owned by Sharif's son-in-law, Haroon Yousaf.[57]
Following his arrest, Sharif was held in custody during the investigation.[58] In November 2020, he was temporarily released on parole to attend his mother's funeral prayers.[59] On 14 April 2021, he was granted bail by the Lahore High Court in the money laundering case.[60] On 12 October 2022, Shehbaz and his son were acquitted on all charges of corruption and money laundering by the Special Court Central in Lahore.[61] After the verdict, Sharif's lawyer Amjad Pervez described the case as "totally baseless and politically motivated."[61]
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Prime minister (2022-2023)
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On 10 April 2022, Sharif was nominated as a candidate for Prime Minister by opposition parties following the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan after the 2022 Pakistani constitutional crisis.[62][63] He was elected prime minister on 11 April 2022.[64][65] He took the oath of office on the same day, administered by the Chairman of the Senate, Sadiq Sanjrani, acting for President Arif Alvi, who was on medical leave after complaining of "discomfort".[66]
Domestic policy
Sharif's main priority upon his ascension as prime minister in 2022 was to resolve the severe economic crisis that began that year, as rising fuel prices due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, excessive borrowing, poor macroeconomic decision-making, a balance of payments crisis, among other factors had accumulated into a severe crisis that strained the nation's economy. Sharif also vowed to investigate Imran Khan's allegations of American intervention to instigate the latter's removal from power, vowing to step down if an "iota of evidence" was found against him.[67] Sharif promised to enact electoral reforms to ensure that free and fair elections occurred.[68]
Economy
Soon after Sharif's swearing-in ceremony, the government announced a relief package that included various measures such as raising the minimum wage from Rs21,000 to RS25,000, subsidising wheat flour, a 10% raise in pensions, and a government employee salary reduction to less than RS100,000 rupees.[69] Sharif also revived the Benazir Income Support Programme for poverty reduction, expanding it to educational aid.[69]
In order to resolve skyrocketing fuel prices, Sharif sought to amplify energy production from power projects. He expressed his intentions to resolve the lack of profit from Pakistan's coal of reserves, suggesting that the Thar Engro Coal Power Project could be connected to other coal-powered plants and amplify production to up to 4,000 megawatts. Sharif further suggested that the Thar Project could revive the national economy and save the government up to $6 billion as the expenditure on energy imports rose to $24 billion.[70]
Despite negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a relief package for Pakistan's economy, the Pakistani rupee continued to depreciate under Sharif's tenure, with increasing inflation, unemployment, and low profits damaging business in Pakistan. The government's target of $7.7 billion for FY 2023 for foreign commercial loans also slumped, with only $0.2 billion gained from July to October 2022.[71]
Sharif's government continued negotiations with the IMF for a relief package to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis, with a staff-level agreement reached in June 2023 for a $3 billion stand-by arrangement.[72] In July 2023, the IMF's executive board approved the loan and begin a disbursement of roughly $1.2 billion. To secure the loan, Sharif's government instituted austerity measures in its annual budget, raising taxes by $750 million and hiking its interest rate to 22%, measures to curb inflation.[73][74]
2022 Pakistan floods
In 2022, Sindh and Balochistan received more rainfall than the August average, with 784% and 500% more, respectively.[75] In addition to this rise in rainfall, southern Pakistan experienced back-to-back heat waves in May and June 2022, which were record-setting made more likely by climate change. These conditions created a strong thermal low that brought heavier rains than usual. on 25 August 2022, Sharif's government declared a state of emergency due to the floods, which killed 1,760 people and caused over roughly $30-40 billion in damage.[76][77][78][79][80]
In response to the floods and farmer sit-ins over electricity and fuel bills, Sharif launched the Kissan Package for farmers' relief, forming a federal committee and unveiling a Rs600 billion package.[81][82] As a part of this package, the government would provide Rs50 billion subsidised loans to young entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector across the country, alongside Rs10 billion to small and medium enterprises in the agriculture sector. In addition to these measures, the package rolled out Rs5 billion to landless farmers affected by the floods, and the provision of 1.2 million bags of certified seeds flood-affected farmers. In regards to cost divisions, Sharif stated that the federal government would provide 50% of the contributions while the four provinces would provide the other 50%.[82] Sharif's government also reduced duties on knock-down kits tractor parts fro 35 to 15%, and wheat imports were enhanced to 2.6 million tonnes in order to prevent a national wheat shortage. These measures in the Kissan Package were implemented to enhance the agriculture sector and its related sectors such as the fertiliser industry, and particularly to mitigate the harmful economic effects of the floods on the country.
Foreign policy
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Sharif's government sought to improve ties with the United States after strained relations due to Lettergate despite Pakistan's close ties with China.[83] Sharif met U.S. President Joe Biden in New York City in September 2022 during the United Nations General Assembly annual sumit.[84] During the meeting, Biden pledged support to Pakistan in the aftermath of the devastating floods. In October 2022, President Biden called Pakistan "one of the most dangerous nations in the world" during an address in California. Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari rejected the statement as baseless, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the U.S. ambassador for an explanation of Biden's remarks.[85]
Sharif also sought closer ties with China and the amplification of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor. However, relations grew increasingly complicated due to a rise in attacks on Chinese workers by groups such as the Pakistani Taliban and Balochistan Liberation Army, as the Pakistan Army is responsible for the security of CPEC workers.[86] Sharif visited China on a two-day official visit in November 2022, meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, and attending the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party. Sharif pledged to revitalize CPEC and expand trade.[87]
Sharif's first visit as prime minister was to Saudi Arabia in April 2022 on a three-day official visit, where he met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Sharif's government also secured an $8 billion package from Saudi Arabia in May 2022, alongside an expansion to a $2.4 billion oil financing facility funded by Saudi Arabia.[88] Sharif visited the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to secure investments in Pakistan; Sharif expressed his desire to facilitate a strong and healthy business environment in Pakistan for Qatari investors during a Pakistan-Qatar trade and investment roundtable meeting in Doha; 2022.[89][90]
Sharif visited Turkey and met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on several occassions, seeking to further deepen Pakistan-Turkey relations and enhance trade. He invited Turkey to join CPEC.[91]
Sharif's government also inaugurated a new power transmission line with Iran during a ceremony in Pishin along the Iran–Pakistan border with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, facilitating the transmission of up to 100 megawatts of Iranian electricity to Pakistan. Sharif's government also remained committed to the construction of an Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline.[92]
Shehbaz Sharif visited the United Kingdom during the funeral of Elizabeth II in September 2022 as the head of government of a Commonwealth republic, offering condolences to Charles III and meeting with British Prime Minister Liz Truss.[93] Sharif again visited the United Kingdom for the coronation of Charles III and Queen Camilla, attending the ceremony at Westminster Abbey and meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.[94][95]
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Between premierships (2023-2024)
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On 9 August 2023, Shehbaz Sharif suggested the dissolution of parliament to President Arif Alvi, three days before the end of its term.[96] On 14 August, the 76th independence day of Pakistan, Sharif's term ended as prime minister and Anwaar ul Haq Kakar was appointed caretaker prime minister until a general election would be held.[97]
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On 21 October 2023, Shehbaz welcomed the return of his brother, Nawaz Sharif, to Pakistan after four years of self-imposed exile. Nawaz returned to Pakistan after obtaining protective bail two days prior, which allowed him to return without being arrested. Nawaz's acquisition of protective bail was a result of Shehbaz's government's adoption of a law which allowed for review petitions against previous Supreme Court verdicts to be filed.[98] Shehbaz was a part of the PML(N) welcome rally for Nawaz in Lahore, where tens of thousands of PML(N) supporters awaited Nawaz's arrival.[99][100]
On 22 December 2023, the Election Commission of Pakistan ruled that the PTI would not be allowed to use its party symbol in the upcoming elections, citing that the party failed to hold intra-party elections up to the commission's standards. This decision was widely controversial and viewed as pre-poll rigging by eliminating PTI opposition, thus clearing the way for Nawaz Sharif to win the election and become prime minister with ease.[101][102][103][104]
A general election was held on 8 February 2024, with Nawaz Sharif serving as the PML(N) candidate for prime minister. However, Nawaz did not get his projected easy victory as PTI candidates, running as independents, managed to secure the most seats.[105][106] The PML(N) won the second most seats while the PPP won the third most; however, neither the independent candidates or the two largest parties were able to secure the 169 seats needed for a majority. On 20 February, the PML(N) and PPP formed a minority coalition government, and Shehbaz was chosen as the prime ministerial candidate over Nawaz. As a part of the coalition arrangement, senior PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari, was chosen as the coalition's candidate for president. The general election was marred with controversy as Pakistan's Military Establishment was accused of rigging the election to prevent the PTI from winning. International media also denounced the election while members of the international community voiced concern over its fairness.[107][108][109][110][111]
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Prime minister (2024–present)
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On 3 March 2024, Sharif was reelected as prime minister of Pakistan for a second term after a controversial general election, as he received 201 votes against 92 votes for the PTI candidate, Omar Ayub Khan.[112] He formed a minority government with the Pakistan People's Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan, the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and the Balochistan Awami Party.[113][114] Imran Khan called the coalition a "daylight robbery" and warned "against the misadventure of forming a government with stolen votes."[115]
Domestic policy
Upon his election as prime minister in the National Assembly, Sharif stated that he aimed to bring political stability to Pakistan after recent years of political unrest, largely by the opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and cooperate closely with the country's four provinces.[116] Sharif also declared that his biggest challenge as prime minister would be to resolve the country's economic crisis.[117]
Economy
Upon his reelection as prime minister, Sharif was given the difficult task of resolving Pakistan's economic crisis which had begun in 2022. Immediately after his swearing-in ceremony, Sharif directed preparations for a national action plan to amplify economic revival. As a part of this plan, Sharif initiated talks with the IMF for a loan agreement and ordered the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to clear tax refunds worth RS65 billion. He also stated that state-owned institutions that caused heavy losses for the government would be privatised, and that the gas sector would adopt smart metering to reduce line losses.[118][119] Sharif appointed Muhammad Aurangzeb, former president of Habib Bank Limited and JPMorgan banker, as finance minister.[120][121]
Sharif's government negotiated a bailout agreement with the IMF in July 2024, and secured a $7 billlion loan from the IMF in September 2024.[122][123] However, despite the loan, the government raised taxes by 40% as a part of a new tax scheme to comply with strict IMF regulations. Despite the rise of taxes for Pakistan's middle class, Sharif failed to cut state expenses after a new fiscal year in July 2024. The government also included private companies into the new tax scheme, bumping up exporters' tax rate from 1% to 29%, in addition to the regionally record-high corporate tax of 30%.[124]
Sharif's government also created a comprehensive five-year plan for economic development, titled the “Uraan Pakistan: Homegrown National Economic Plan.” As a part of this plan, the government vowed to enhance export-led growth, expand the digital and technology sectors, and address economic challenges through what it described as the "five Es: Exports; E-Pakistan; Equity and Empowerment; Environment, Food and Water Security; and Energy and Infrastructure."[125][126] The plan also established quantitative targets, particularly achieving a 6% annual GDP growth by 2028, the creation of 1 million jobs per year, boosting exports to $60 billion annually by 2028, and $10 billion worth of private investment annually.[127] The plan also envisaged Pakistan to emerge as a trillion dollar economy by 2035.[128]
In May 2025, the government also announced its intention to privatise over 50 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) except "strategic ones" in three phases within the next four years.[129] The large-scale privatisation of SOEs was a recommendation by the IMF because these SOEs hold sizable assets in Pakistan; however, they have low employment and are cash-bleeding with over half of SOEs in Pakistan operating at a loss.[130][131]
Under both Sharif's first and second premierships, Pakistan's inflation rate significantly dropped from a record-high of 37.97 in May 2023 to 3.5% in May 2025.[132]
Social policy
Sharif's government promoted youth empowerment and entrepreneurship. On International Youth Day in 2024, Sharif announced a RS100 billion boost for over 300,000 young entrepreneurs as a part of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, in addition to the launch of several youth empowerment schemes.[133] He also announced that the government would provide 1 million smartphones, tablets, and laptops to students across the country on the basis of merit, alongside personally funding the education of 1,000 graduates of agriculture in China.[134] Sharif also created a youth employment action plan across Pakistan. As a part of this plan, a laptop scheme provided over 600,000 laptops on the basis of merit to young Pakistanis, in addition to youth training initiaitives across 268 universities across the country under the Prime Minister Green Youth Program.[135][136] Sharif also formed the National Youth Council, composed of 113 youth representives (aged 10-29), aimed at amplifying youth development and integrating young Pakistanis into policy-making.[137]
On World Health Day in 2024, Sharif vowed to expand medical facilities across Pakistan to be accessible for all people, partnering with provincial governments to upgrade and establish medical facilities, launch mobile health clinics, and ensure cost-free treatment for lower-and-middle class families.[138] Sharif also ordered the use of advanced technology to advance digitised health reforms across the country, alongside the creation of oversight mechanisms to crack down on healthcare violations. Sharif also encouraged local pharmaceutical companies to seek accreditation from the World Health Organization.
Crackdown on the PTI
Immediately after becoming prime minister for his second term, PTI supporters across Pakistan began major protests and demonstrations on 11 March, calling for Sharif's removal from office on allegations of electoral rigging in the 2024 general election. These protests also called for the restoration of the PTI's "stolen mandate" and the release of senior PTI leaders, including Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi.[139] In response to these protests, Pakistani police launched a large-scale national crackdown, arresting and attacking PTI protestors.[139]
On 15 July 2024, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that the government was considering a ban on the PTI, citing the violent 2023 national protests and alleged "leaking classified information."[140] The plan to ban the PTI received large-scale backlash from both inside Pakistan and internationally, with several prominent politicians, journalists, and lawyers condemning the move.[141] According to the Brookings Institution, the move against the PTI revealed the government's "weakness and political insecurity", and the move comes during a period where Pakistan's judiciary is experiencing increasing state pressure, particularly from the military establishment, to crack down on political opposition, particularly the PTI.[142]
Twenty-sixth Amendment
In September 2024, Sharif's government announced a "Constitutitional Package" which would create a new Federal Constitutional Court. This new court would handle petitions pertaining strictly to interpretations of constitutional clauses.The package also included raising the retirement age of judges in the proposed Constitutional Court to 68, while other judges in Pakistan are required to retire by 65. The package also included a clause that would rule individual legislators' votes against their respective parties as void.[143] In October 2024, Parliament passed the Twenty-sixth Amendment, which expanded parliamentary powers, particularly allowing a parliamentary committee to select the Supreme Court's chief justice.[144] The new amendment was heavily criticized as attacking judicial independence, particularly amplifying judicial action against the PTI and other political opponents. The New York City Bar Association, the amendment undermined the separation of powers and judicial independence in Pakistan, hindering the impartiality of the judiciary.[145]
National security and terrorism
In June 2024, Sharif chaired a meeting of the Apex Committee on the National Action Plan in Islamabad, and announced the launch of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam, a major counterterrorism initiative that involved both military action and socioeconomic development to hinder the spread of radicalism and terrorism in Pakistan.[146][147] The launch of the operation came amidst a rise in terrorism in Pakistan in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, with militant groups such as the Pakistani Taliban taking shelter in, and being supported by, Afghanistan, to launch attacks on Pakistani security forces.[148][149][150]
As a result of an increase in terror attacks across the country, Pakistan rose to second in the Global Terrorism Index in March 2025.[151]
Social media restrictions
Shehbaz's government continued the unofficial ban on social media platform Twitter (X) imposed by the Kakar caretaker government,[152][153] and installed an internet firewall. The internet firewall was created by the government in order to block content it deems propaganda. The firewall was widely criticized for censorship. Furthermore, the internet firewall project was estimated to cost $300 Million. The firewall resulted in the internet worsening in Pakistan and negatively affecting businesses.[154][155]
Foreign policy
Middle East
Shehbaz Sharif's first foreign visit during his second premiership was to Saudi Arabia in 2024, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman[156] As a part of this meeting, Sharif and bin Salman agreed to extradite the first wave of a $5 billion Saudi investment package to Pakistan.[157]
Sharif also emphasized warm relations with the United Arab Emirates, meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on several occassions. Sharif and bin Zayed agreed to enhance Emirati investments in Pakistan. In May 2024, bin Zayed committed to invest $10 billion in Pakistan.[158]
Sharif also met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in April 2024, vowing to strengthen economic and security cooperation in the aftermath of a short tit-for-tat conflict between the two nations in January of that year.[159] In June 2025, Sharif expressed Pakistan's support for Iran amidst the Iran–Israel war.[160]
Sharif's government repeatedly condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, expressing sympathy with the Palestinian people and support for an independent Palestinian state.[161][162]
Turkey and Azerbaijan
Sharif attended a trilateral summit between Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, in Lachin. Sharif thanked both nations for their diplomatic and moral support for Pakistan during the conflict with India, and vowed greater cooperation.[163] Sharif's government also enhanced military cooperation between the three countries.[164]
United States
In April 2025, Sharif met with a United States delegation led by Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for the State Department’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, and announced that U.S. companies seek to invest in Pakistan's untapped minerals.[165] Sharif also emphasized the cruciality of American mediation in de-escalating the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, with the Pakistani government nominating Donald Trump with the Nobel Peace Prize in June 2025 for his role in mediating an end to the conflict.[166][167][168] Trump also met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir in June 2025, signalling a major thaw in relations between the two countries.[169][170]
China
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Sharif's government pledged to revive the stagnating CPEC through cooperation on infrastructure and mining.[171] This desire to amplify cooperation comes amidst increasing attacks on Chinese workers in Pakistan by militant groups aiming at disrupting CPEC, which has affected China-Pakistan relations.[172][173] However, China's significant defence cooperation with Pakistan contributed to Pakistan's success in downing Western-manufactured Indian aircraft, particularly Rafales, during its 2025 conflict against India.[174][175]
Conflict with India
In the aftermath of the 2025 Pahalgam attack, Sharif presided over a four-day tit-for-tat conflict against India, which resulted in a ceasefire agreement. Sharif oversaw the launch of Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos in retaliation for earlier Indian strikes on alleged terrorist sites in Pakistani cities including Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur, and Muridke. Following an address to the nation, Sharif declared a national holiday, Yaum-e-Tashakur (Day of Gratitude), throughout Pakistan.[176] Sharif viewed the conflict as a strategic Pakistani victory; however, the conflict was viewed as inconclusive through independent analysis.[177]
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Public image
During his tenure as chief minister, Shehbaz developed a reputation as a diligent administrator.[178][179] He initiated ambitious infrastructure projects in Punjab and was noted for his efficient governance.[180][181][182] On 19 December 2016, Vice-Minister Zheng Xiaosong of the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party coined the term Shehbaz Speed to acknowledge his contributions to expediting the progress of projects within the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Subsequently, the term has been employed to characterize the rate of advancement within the CPEC.[183][184][185] In 2025, Shehbaz Sharif was recognized among the world's 500 most influential Muslims by The Muslim 500, an annual publication by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman, Jordan.[186]
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Personal life
Summarize
Perspective
Family
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Shehbaz married Nusrat Shehbaz[187] in 1973. They had four children: Salman, Hamza and twin daughters Javeria and Rabia.[3][188]
His second marriage was to Aaliya Honey, whom he married in 1993.[1][2] The couple separated after just one year.[1]
In 2003, Shehbaz married his third wife, author and artist Tehmina Durrani.[3][189]
He lives at his ancestral home in Lahore, Raiwind Palace.
Wealth
His family jointly owns Sharif Group and formerly owned Ittefaq Group,[10][190] In 2013, it was noted that Shehbaz is wealthier than his elder brother Nawaz with Rs. 336,900,000 (US$1.2 million).[191]
Daily Mail defamation case
On 14 July 2019, the Daily Mail published a news with the headline: "Did the family of Pakistani politician who has become the poster boy for British overseas aid STEAL funds meant for earthquake victims?" According to the report, Shehbaz Sharif stole aid funds from the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) following the 2005 earthquake. It was written by Daily Mail journalist David Rose. Investigations have shown that the UK donated more than £500 million to the earthquake victims in Pakistan through the DFID, a UK government organisation.[192][193]
David Rose claimed that former chief minister of Punjab Shehbaz Sharif used the aid funds to send one million pounds through money laundering to his frontman Aftab Mehmood, a British citizen of Pakistani descent, who then gave the money to Shahbaz Sharif's family. Shehbaz Sharif and his family allegedly stole British citizens' tax relief funds, according to news reports. The Daily Mail also made reference to a number of Shehbaz Sharif's British government officials. Salman Shahbaz the son of Shehbaz Sharif later refuted this information.[194]
A DFID representative referred to the reports as "baseless" and "fabricated" on the organization's website, and in January 2020, Shahbaz Sharif filed a claim for damages against the Daily Mail and its reporter David Rose in the Royal Court of Justice in London.[195]
According to court documents, Daily Mail took almost three years to submit a defence of Rose's story. On 20 April 2020, Justice Nicklin issued the initial order for the listing hearing window running from 21 April 2020 to 31 July 2020. On 7 May 2020, Justice Nicklin issued a second ruling that extended the due dates. On 20 October 2020, Justice Nicklin issued the first order, merging the claims of Shehbaz and his son-in-law Yousaf. On 28 January 2021, Justice Nicklin issued another order pertaining to the preliminary issue trial.[196] The verdict and order were delivered on 5 February 2021. Justice Nicklin ruled at the meaning hearing at the London High Court in favour of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz and his son-in-law. Justice Nicklin determined that the Mail on Sunday's article carried the highest level of defamatory meaning for both Shehbaz and Yousaf.
On 18 February 2021, Justice Nicklin issued the directive with relation to certain deadlines. On 15 March 2022, the Daily Mail filed its defence. On 17 March 2022, Master Thornett issued the directive to file the defence. On 23 June and 20 September 2022, he then issued the orders to extend the deadline for filing the defence. Following negotiations to resolve the dispute after March 2022 between Daily Mail and PM Shehbaz, it was made apparent to the premier's legal counsel that the publication would issue an apology and take down the item under his conditions. On 26 September 2022, Justice Nicklin issued an order and scheduled a joint case management meeting for 9 November.[196] Three days prior to this hearing, Shahbaz pulled his request for a delay in favor of a full trial in a shrewd political move. According to the regulations, the court was not informed that the lawyers for Daily Mail had been secretly negotiating with Shahbaz's lawyers for several months, proposing to apologise. Shahbaz Sharif was persuaded by his legal staff that there was no use in submitting more paperwork as the paper had already agreed to apologise and remove the defamatory and misleading piece.[196]
Daily Mail publishers and Shehbaz's lawyers signed an agreement of settlement with Tomlin Order in the second week of December 2022, after which Daily Mail removed the defamatory article and apologized to the prime minister and his son-in-law. The ANL promised that it will never propagate these false allegations at any forum, it has also worked with Google to remove all articles carrying Daily Mail's previous allegations.[197][196][198]
Toshakhana records
On 12 March 2023, the Government of Pakistan released a record of Toshakhana gifts retained by government officials from 2003 to 2023,[199][200] 90 gifts were retained by Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif from Toshakhana.[201]
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Books
- Azm O Himmat Kī Dāstān (عزم و همت كى داستان; "A Tale of Resolve and Courage"), Lāhore: Sharīf Publīcations, 2000, 72 pp. History and struggle of business endeavours of the Sharif family.[202]
See also
Notes
- Urdu, Punjabi: میاں محمد شہباز شریف, pronounced [ʃɛhˈbaːz ʃəˈriːf]
References
External links
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