Nawaz Sharif's First Regime (1990-93)

Nawaz Sharif's First Regime (1990-93)

• National Assembly elections were held on October 24, 1990, with Islami Jamhooari Ittihad (IJI) contesting under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
• IJI won 105 seats, while Pakistan People's Party secured only 46 seats.
• Nawaz Sharif was sworn in as prime minister in November 1990.

Important Steps of Nawaz Sharif's Government

• Privatization policy was introduced to liberate the economy from strict government control.
• A Privatization Commission was instituted, and 115 industrial units and financial institutions, including banks, were denationalized.
• The "Yellow Cab Scheme" was launched to address unemployment and public transport shortages.
• World-class motorway projects were initiated, with the 333 km long 6-lane Islamabad-Lahore Motorway being the first phase.
• Agricultural reforms were introduced to improve the condition of farmers.
• The Indus waters dispute between provinces was amicably resolved through an agreement.
• Bait-ul-Mal was instituted in 1992 to provide financial help to the needy.
• Efforts were made to improve foreign policy, including bringing Afghan warring groups to the negotiation table.
• India was officially invited to resolve the Kashmir dispute, but these efforts did not succeed.
• Pakistan condemned the demolition of the Babari Masjid in 1992 and adopted a careful stance regarding America's invasion of Iraq.

Dismissal of Nawaz Sharif's Government

• President Ghulam Ishaq Khan dismissed the government on charges of harassing opponents and gross irregularities in privatization.
• Nawaz Sharif challenged the dismissal in the Supreme Court, which ruled in his favor and declared the dismissal illegal and unconstitutional.
• The government was restored, but differences between the president and prime minister led to the chief of the army staff intervening and convincing both to resign.

Benazir Bhutto's Second Regime (1993-96)

• General elections were held in 1993, with neither major party securing a majority in the National Assembly.
• The Pakistan People's Party formed a coalition government with smaller parties, and Benazir Bhutto became prime minister for the second time on October 19, 1993.