Shehbaz Sharif

Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif (Punjabi, pronounced [miˈɑ̃ː mʊˈɦəm.məd̪ ʃɛhˈbɑːz ʃəˈriːf]; born 23 September 1951) is a Pakistani politician and the current Chief Minister Punjab since 8 June 2013. Sharif is the province's longest-serving Chief Minister, having held the office twice previously from 1997 to 1999 and 2008 to 2013.

The younger brother of current Prime Minister and President of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif was elected to the Punjab Provincial Assembly in 1988, and to the National Assembly in 1990. He was again elected to the Punjab Assembly in 1993 and named Leader of the Opposition. Elected a third time in 1997, Sharif was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Punjab on 20 February 1997, while his brother took charge as Prime Minister.^[1]

After a military coup deposed the government in 1999, Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif spent years of self-exile in Saudi Arabia, returning to Pakistan in 2007.^[2] Sharif was appointed Chief Minister for a second term after the PML-N's victory in the province in the 2008 general elections, but was deposed in 2009 after President Asif Zardari imposed governor's rule under Salmaan Taseer, following the Sharif brothers' electoral disqualification by the Supreme Court.^[3] The Sharifs were acquitted after the Long March restored the judiciary, and governor's rule was lifted. Sharif's second term focused on development in infrastructure, and successfully combating an outbreak of dengue fever in 2011.^[4]

Sharif was re-elected Chief Minister following the general elections of 2013. His third term saw large development projects including the rapid-transit Lahore Metrobus,^[5] but was also marred by increasing controversy, after 14 anti-government protestors were shot dead by police in Lahore in 2014.^[6][7] Sharif was contentiously cleared of involvement by a judicial inquiry.

First term as Chief Minister

During his first term Shehbaz Sharif was considered as a strict and demanding administrator. In 1999 he was put in exile in London with his brother as a result of some untold problems with Musharraf.^[8]

President of Pakistan Muslim League (N)

Sharif was elected President of PML (N) on 3 August 2002 while in exile in Saudi Arabia. He was re-elected President of PML(N) for a second term on 2 August 2006.

Return to Pakistan

In August 2007, the Supreme Court of Pakistan gave its verdict which allowed Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan.

On 7 September 2007, judge Shabbir Hussain Chatha ordered police to arrest Shehbaz Sharif, brother of Nawaz and produce him before the court, after the hearing in Lahore. The court ruled that "Shehbaz Sharif should be arrested (at) whichever airport he lands at." Nawaz Sharif too faces detention on the pair's planned return from exile to Pakistan on 10 September 2007, to challenge President Pervez Musharraf's 8-year military rule.^[9]

His brother Shehbaz changed return plans at the last minute.^[10][11]

Sharif was not allowed to participate in the 2008 elections because of allegations against him. His son Hamza Shahbaz was supposed to run from a NA seat in Lahore but due to the death of a candidate the elections were postponed.

Second term as Chief Minister

On 8 June 2008, Sharif was elected as Chief Minister of Punjab, receiving 265 votes from the members of the 371-seat provincial assembly. He was the only candidate, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PMLN-Q) boycotted the vote. Speaking after his election, he called on Musharraf to resign.^[12] He won a vote of confidence on 9 June, receiving 266 votes.^[13]

Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif congratulating Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Barjees Tahir on the landslide victory in Gilgit Baltistan

His second term as Chief Minister lasted until 25 February 2009, when a three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Justice Moosa K. Leghari, declared him ineligible to contest elections, took away his seat in the Punjab Assembly, and thereby removed him from office.^[14] On 31 March 2009, a five-member larger bench of the Supreme Court overturned^[15] an earlier decision of the apex court, in which Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif were disqualified from holding public office. As a result, Shehbaz returned to office as Chief Minister.

Shehbaz Sharif Govt. Initiatives

Some of the major projects initiated by Sharif include

• Punjab Educational Endowment Fund^[16] a scholarship fund for students
• Punjab Education Foundation^[17] a Foundation to promote educational investment in Punjab by promoting private sector
• Lahore Metro Bus System A 32 km Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system from Gajumata to Shahadra,
• Danish Schools is a free education project to provide top class education to the less fortunate in Pakistan
• Apna Rozgar Scheme is initiative taken by Punjab Govt. to give 50,000 yellow Taxi's yearly
• Khud Rozgar Scheme is a loan scheme in which interest-free loans are provided to poors to establish small shops or other locally operative business.
• Punjab Metrobus Authority^[18] to construct, maintain rapid bus transit systems in Punjab
• Punjab Food Authority^[19] to control food hygiene in Punjab
• Punjab Information Technology Board^[20] to promote IT field in Punjab
• Punjab Land Development Company^[21] to make affordable housing schemes in Punjab
• ITU Lahore^[22] a world class university in field of IT in Lahore
• Ashiana Housing Scheme^[23] Affordable Housing for low income families with modern facilities in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala & other cities of Punjab.
• e-Youth Initiative^[24] to provide free laptops to 100 thousand brilliant students studying at public sector colleges & universities and high achievers of the Boards of Punjab in Matriculation Examinations
• Punjab Forensic Science Agency at Lahore^[25] Establishing of PFSA and a state of the art forensic lab
• Punjab Youth Internship Program^[26] A program to equip 50,000 unemployed youth with productive skills in Punjab. A monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 will be paid to the interns.
• Plan9 – Tech Incubator^[27] A program designed to accelerate the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through an array of business support resources and services
• Lahore Waste Management Company^[28] An Integrated Solid Waste Management project with collaboration of Turkish contractors for the city of Lahore to serve as a model for other areas in Punjab.
• The Punjab Model of Proactive Governance^[29] A system to proactively seek feedback from consumers of government services using call centres, text messages and phone calls. The project has been supported and funded by the World Bank.
• Violence Against Women Centers^[30] Violence Against Women Center (VAWC) was established for the defence of women against violence. Through this entity, the victim will be able to report violence through the use of its helpline and get speedy justice. This entity will also provide victim facility to lodge FIR along with forensic help, medical examination, prosecution and post-trauma rehabilitation under one roof.
• Facebook Q&A Session^[31] A precedent was set by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif when he took the initiative to contact the people directly on social media website Facebook and directly answer the questions of the citizens. It was the first time in the Pakistani political history where a sitting chief minister used technology to communicate with citizens directly. In his 40 minutes long video Q&A session, Shehbaz Sharif answered questions of people from different walks of life. This process of contact with Facebook public will continue in future as well. In previous tenure of 1998, Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif also started initiative of taking calls personally to resolve issues of the citizens.
• Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology Following the reforms in health sector, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the successful completion of Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology. This hospital has been completed at the cost of Rs. 3.6 billion. The 272-bed hospital is equipped with high medical facilities to provide complete health facilities.
• Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Park (QASP)^[32] Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Park is the world's largest solar park, located in Cholistan, Punjab. It has around 400,000 solar panels with a capacity to produce 1,000 MW electricity, enough to power 320,000 households.
• Lahore Orange Line Metro The Orange Line of Lahore Metro is an under construction line of the Lahore Metro network in Lahore. It is a part of mass transit programme launched by Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Construction work for Lahore Orange Line Metro Train project has started in the provincial metropolis. Labourers, workers, students, doctors, lawyers, farmers, traders and people of all walks of life will travel by metro train and approximately over 250,000 people will benefit from this project daily. Lahore Orange Line Metro has a 27 km long route. 24.3 km long section will be at a height of six meters from the ground while 1.7 km track will be underground with total of 26 stations. Metro train will be connecting all the main areas of Lahore starting from Ali Town, Thokar Niaz Baig, Wahdat Road, Aiwan Town, Sabzazaar, Samanabad, Gulshan Ravi, Chuburji, GPO, Lakshami, Railway Station, UET, Shalamar Bagh, Mehmood Boti to Dera Gujjaran. It will bring a revolution in transport sector and work will be carried out round the clock on this project.^[33]
• The Dolphin Force^[34] Its is a new elite security unit, inspired by law enforcement unit in Turkey. This unit is patrolling the streets of Lahore to curb street crimes. The unit has so far received 35 HONDA CB motorbikes out of an estimated final strength of 300 to aid in pursuit and apprehension.

• 50 thousand low cost houses in Punjab^[35] An agreement was signed between Punjab government and a renowned housing sector institution of Turkey, Housing Development Administration Turkey (TOKI) for developing 50,000 low cost houses in Punjab. TOKI will provide technical assistance for construction of these houses. 25 thousand houses will be built in 2016 whereas further 25 thousand houses in 2017.

CM's Special Monitoring Unit

Special Monitoring Unit (SMU) is an initiative of Mr Shehbaz Sharif. CM's Special Monitoring Unit (SMU) Law and Order is an entity of the Government of Punjab and an essential part of the Chief Minister's Office. The unit is responsible for monitoring and implementation of various projects across Punjab. The unit is directly accountable to the CM and the citizens of the province of Punjab.

Since its inception in August 2014, SMU has already introduced ground breaking reforms in Law & Order wing that are currently in implementation stage. These include but are not limited to: Violence Against Women Centres (VAWC) – Provision of all facilities under one roof (including First Aid, FIR lodging, Prosecutor, Medical Examination, Forensics, Post Trauma Rehabilitation, Psychologist Consulting, Dar-ul-Amaans and Placement into Society)^[36] Dealer Vehicle Registration System (D.V.R.S) – Citizen convenience by vehicle registration and license plate issuance at dealerships.^[37] Token Tax Identification Stickers – to eliminate inconvenient checkpoint stops ^[38] Specialty plates – Customized license plates in different colours and with options for different images (relating to Culture, Disability, Personalities, Punjab Landmarks and in support of causes such as Breast Cancer, Terror Victims etc.)^[39] • Introduction of camera integrated traffic fines with zero discrimination towards violators. Vehicle owners are traced by the registration plate data and warnings are sent to the owner’s house. Model Graveyards to facilitate grieving citizens ^{[40][40][41][42]} • Traffic Reforms including engineering, education and enforcement ^[43][44][45] • Restaurant Grading System which will give citizens the decision making power to choose restaurants based on quality and hygiene as opposed to the ambiance.^[46][47]

Sharif is well respected internationally including China, Germany and Turkey. Their government functionaries are impressed by his governance of the Punjab province.^[48] He is acknowledged even by his opponents as an outstanding administrator for his role in making Punjab a model of good governance.^[49]

Fight against Dengue

In 2011 there was a Dengue fever outbreak in Punjab. The total number of reported patients was 17,352, with loss of 252 lives in district Lahore only. The Punjab government under Chief Minister Sharif took radical and drastic measures^[50] to bring this menace completely under control. In 2012 only 182 confirmed cases were reported in district Lahore with zero mortality. The achievement was recognised and appreciated by Sri Lankan and other foreign experts.^[4]

Special Investment Initiatives

In November 2015, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif decided to sharpen the investment pitch for Punjab by organizing a successful two day International Seminar for Investment Opportunities in Punjab. The basic purpose of this seminar was to give assurance to the investors about the sanctity of the information and facilitation for investors in order to help them make up their minds when entering a new emerging market. This seminar facilitated investors in pointing out their expectations and highlighting possible gaps. Punjab honed its investment promotion skills through this seminar and invited some of the most trusted business partners, chiefly Chinese and Turks. The Chief Minister of Punjab personally attended the investment delegates from China and Turkey and proposed the investment opportunities available in 48 different sectors in Punjab. It was a successful event which resulted in signing of over 150 MoUs and agreements with the investors ^[51]

Shehbaz Sharif went on a five day tour to the United Kingdom in November 2015 to enhance cooperation in health, education, skill development and other sectors in Punjab.^[52] At this occasion, he met British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond and UK Home Minister Ms. Theresa. He also addressed Chatham House, a think tank of international repute under the aegis of Royal Institute of International Affairs in London.^[53] He addressed a large number of professors, intellectuals, politicians and experts at this occasion. It must be mentioned that addressing intellectual sessions at Chatham House is a prestigious tradition as Chatham House is about 100 years' old and only prominent personalities or politicians with international repute are invited for address.

Third term as Chief Minister

On 6 June 2013, Sharif was elected Chief Minister of Punjab for a third term with more than two-thirds majority. He secured 300 votes while his opponent Mahmoodur Rashid of PTI got 34 votes.^[54]

Model Town Massacre

Model Town tragedy was unintentional clash between ploice and PAT workers. Police claimed that they were attacked by people inside the PAT secretariat, a claim that is denied by party chief Qadri. Qadri strongly condemned the attack and called it the worst form of state terrorism. Qadri vowed to avenge the deaths of his political workers by bringing about a revolution that would hasten the end of the rule of prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shehbaz Sharif.^[55][56]

Government of Punjab and Punjab Police refused to register an FIR by Pakistan Awami Tehreek against Shehbaz Sharif and then Law Minister Rana Sanaullah. PAT filed an application to Session Court of Lahore for registration of FIR and court ruled, on 16 August 2014, to register an FIR against Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his brother Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, then Law Minister Punjab Rana Sanaullah and 18 others.^[57] Lahore High Court upheld the decision of Sessions Court on 26 August 2014 to register the FIR against Shehbaz Sharif and 20 other accused.^[58] Sharif in an earlier statement offered to register FIR, but refused to resign from his post as Chief Minister of Punjab.^[59] In 2015, Shehbaz Shrif including ministers and high officials were called innocence by Judicial Commission which was formed to investigate actual cause of Incident.

Kasur child sexual abuse scandal

In August 2015, various Pakistani media organisations uncovered the biggest child abuse case according to which 280 to 300 children were victims of sexual abuse in Hussain Khanwala village in Kasur, after the discovery of hundreds of video clips showing children performing forced sex acts.^[60] This child abuse was traced back to 2006 under the rule of former Chief Minister Punjab Pervaiz Ilahi. On 9 August 2015, Sharif ordered the Punjab Home Department to request Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court Manzoor Ahmed Malik to constitute a judicial inquiry to look into the matter.^[61] The Chief Justice rejected the request, on the grounds that such an inquiry was constituted for fact-finding missions, and that the police had already begun making arrests in this instance. Shehbaz Sharif took prompt action by suspending Kasur's DSP and three high-ranking officials of the Special Branch deputed in the region for their negligence in the case.^[62]

Personal life

Shehbaz Sharif is the younger brother of Nawaz Sharif. In 1973, Sharif married his first wife, Nusrat Shehbaz. In 1993, Nusrat Shehbaz passed away and Shehbaz married his second wife, Aaliya Honey. Aaliya died just 6 months after marriage. Sharif's third and last marriage was with Tehmina Durrani, the author of My Feudal Lord.^[63] Shahbaz Sharif’s first marriage was with his cousin Nusrat Shahbaz in 1973, with the approval of his father, the late Mian Muhammad Sharif. They have two sons Hamza Shahbaz Sharif and Salman, and three daughters. His second marriage was with Aaliya Honey in 1993-94. They have one daughter, Khadija. He divorced her while in exile in Saudi Arabia. Shahbaz Sharif has a third marriage with Tehmina Durrani. he married at a secret but well attended ceremony in Dubai in 2003.^[64]

See also

• Politics of Pakistan

References

External links

• Official website
• Shehbaz Sharif on Facebook
• Shehbaz Sharif on Twitter
• PML(N)

Incumbent Chief Ministers of Provinces of Pakistan     Punjab: Shahbaz Sharif (PML N) Sindh: Qaim Ali Shah (PPP) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Pervez Khattak (PTI) Balochistan: Sanaullah Zehri (PML N) Gilgit–Baltistan: Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman (PML N)) Azad Kashmir: Chaudhry Abdul Majid (PPP))

Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan Khan Daultana Noon Dasti Khalid Khar Ramay Qureshi Sharif Wyne Wattoo Elahi Wattoo Nakai Wattoo Hayat Sharif Elahi Nisar Khosa Sharif Sharif (Restored) Sethi Sharif