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Pakistan's next prime minister wants to end decades-old feud with India
Nawaz Sharif set to push through plans to curb power of generals, bolster economy and improve relations with India
Jon Boone in Lahore, Jason Burke in Delhi and Emma Graham-Harrison in Kabul The Guardian, Sunday 12 May 2013 Jump to comments (54)

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Supporters of Nawaz Sharif celebrate his win in Karachi. Results suggest he will only need the support of a handful of independent candidates to secure a working majority in parliament. Photograph: Shakil Adil/AP

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The full scale of Nawaz Sharif's thumping victory in Pakistan's general election became clear on Sunday, making it far more likely the country's next prime minister will be able to govern without coalition deals and be free to push through what supporters see as a potentially revolutionary agenda. Besides overhauling a moribund economy, Sharif, with his conservative Pakistan Muslim League, wants to end his country's decades-old feud with India and put Pakistan's meddlesome generals in their place. It is a programme that has won him fans even among left-leaning critics who oppose his conservatism. It has also raised hopes in India and Afghanistan. Although the final results are still days away, projections by Pakistani television stations suggested that Sharif would only need to secure the support of a handful of independent candidates, rather than rival parties, to secure a working majority in parliament.

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to secure a working majority in parliament. On Sunday, Sharif was holed up in his luxury estate in Lahore working to form a government. Party sources said he hoped to be able to achieve this long before the two weeks allowed by the constitution. "We have a very ambitious agenda for the first 100 days and we want to hit the ground running," said Tariq Azeem, Sharif's spokesman. Barack Obama congratulated Pakistan on the completion of the election and said the US would work with the country's new government as an equal partner. "The United States stands with all Pakistanis in welcoming this historic peaceful and transparent transfer of civilian power, which is a significant milestone in Pakistan's democratic progress," President Obama said in a statement. "By conducting competitive campaigns, freely exercising your democratic rights, and persevering despite intimidation by violent extremists, you have affirmed a commitment to democratic rule that will be critical to achieving peace and prosperity for all Pakistanis for years to come." Sharif, a billionaire steel magnate who came into politics under the wing of a military dictator in the 1980s, is an unlikely symbol of radical change in Pakistan. During his previous period in government he ordered the abduction of a newspaper editor who had criticised him and pushed to introduce sharia law. "He has evolved ever since he was sent into exile," said Mehmal Sarfraz, from the South Asian Free Media Association, referring to the 1999 military coup, led by the former army chief Pervez Musharraf, which forced Sharif to quit Pakistan. Sharif distrusts the country's generals who have toppled three governments since Pakistan was created in 1947, control vast economic interests and call the shots on the country's foreign policy.

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But despite the military's muscle, Sharif has made it clear including in interviews with Indian journalists who have taken a close interest in his campaign that the army is constitutionally subservient to civilian politicians. Sharif's ability to reach out across the political divide was reflected by the actions of Ayesha Siddiqa, a prominent academic and analyst, who said that when she went to the polling station on Saturday she had been intending to vote for the left-of-centre Pakistan Peoples party (PPP). "I've always been a PPP supporter and yet I ended up voting for Sharif because who else is there? He is the only leader that will try and take back some power from [the military] establishment." The military may resent any assertion of civilian power, particularly in the run-up to the end of Nato's combat mission next year in Afghanistan, a country where Pakistan's military spies for reasons of grand strategy designed to limit Indian influence in the region formerly played a key role in bringing the Taliban to power in the 1990s. Sharif has talked of leaving Afghans to make their own decisions. Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's president, said on Sunday he had approved of Sharif's campaign rhetoric that had "urged friendship and co-operation with Afghanistan". However, critics of Sharif say he is too soft on Pakistani extremists and even militant groups that are ideologically close to the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, preferring to avoid confrontation with them. Kickstarting Pakistan's sluggish economy, which is particularly weighed down by crippling energy shortages, is central to Sharif's entire programme. He hopes to bolster growth partly by boosting the feeble levels of trade with India, which would also help improve relations between two countries that have fought three major wars against each other since 1947. "All parties want peace with India," said Safraz. "But only Sharif can deliver because, as a rightwing Punjabi nationalist, his patriotism cannot open in browser PRO version Are you a developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API

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be questioned. If he was in the PPP, he would have been called a traitor." Sharif has said he wants to see a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict and has promised to ensure attacks against India are not launched from Pakistan. Staffers at the politician's campaign headquarters told the Guardian in April that Sharif, seen as close to Pakistan's conservative Islamists by many in Delhi, had always been pro-Indian. "He started as a businessman after all," one said. As results came in on Saturday night, Sharif reminded reporters he had worked to lessen tensions with India before his ousting by Musharraf. "We'll pick [up] the threads where we left," he said. Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister, spoke to Sharif on Sunday and invited him to visit India at "a mutually convenient time". Fixing Pakistan's economic woes, however, will require policies not least expansion of the tax net so more people pay that could prove unpopular with Sharif's own business-world supporters. He will also have to cut unaffordable electricity subsidies, perhaps raising the price for already hard-pressed consumers, as well as undertake radical surgery on Pakistan's bloated public companies, including the national airline.

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Open for comments. Sign in or create your Guardian account to join the discussion. 54 comments. Showing 50 Andrew Allen
13 May 2013 4:36am

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"All parties want peace with India," said Safraz. "But only Sharif can deliver because, as a rightwing Punjabi nationalist, his patriotism cannot be questioned. If he was in the PPP, he would have been called a traitor." Somehow I don't think greater nationalism helps when it comes to peaceful borders

78comments
13 May 2013 10:27am

@Andrew Allen - Yep very rich coming from the British! Mr Sharif move peace forward, open the boarders and unite India once again (inclusive of Bangladesh. Remove the waste of finances in purchasing weapons from the west and spend it on the countries Infrastructure.

78comments
13 May 2013 10:51am

@78comments - "countries Infrastructure" - Country's Infra.....

error418
13 May 2013 11:38am

@Andrew Allen - Actually it could help: he cannot rationally be accused of selling out his own country. Come on folks, there is a ~5% change that peace might break out between Pakistan and India now, give it a chance!

thepianist

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13 May 2013 1:21pm

@78comments - If you're correcting yourself then learn the difference between 'boarders' (pupils who live on campus - raiders who board ships) and 'borders'.

samantha44
13 May 2013 4:40am

31

Hopefully he will ban US drones from Pakistani airspace. The US sure would in the reverse scenario.

bootboys
13 May 2013 9:18am

23

@samantha44 - Fat chance of that ever happening! I have a Pakistani colleague who says this election was rigged, especially in places like Karachi. But, since the US is supporting Sharif, you'll never see a peep about it in the western media. To the Guardian - how about doing some investigation on this?

78comments
13 May 2013 10:28am

16

@bootboys - "this election was rigged, especially in places like Karachi. But, since the US is supporting Sharif" That is why Imran Khan never seems to make it. Corruption from external parties keeping these types of nations under control.

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cureyourignorance_12
13 May 2013 12:08pm

@samantha44 - I do not think he ever will. Why? Because he shall work hand in hand with the USA, who do not want to stop their drone strategy. In addition to the Saudi Government shall show Nawaz Sharif support, as they want to inject extremism in to Pakistan. You may wish to read up Wahhabism. Saudi Arabia do not represent the True faith of Islaam. They have hijacked the Religion of Al Islaam and therefore used it as a banner. The elections were obviously rigged as they did not want Imran Kahn in power as he speaks of a Just cause whilst Nawaz Sharif is a CHEAP bought politician, that the WEST shall now use to have their own gains in the region. This is very apparent for the intelligent one.

CorkyTheCat
13 May 2013 2:23pm

@samantha44 What people are forgetting here is that in Pakistan, few things are as they appear. For starters, the PMLN did an electoral pact in south Punjab with the ASWJ, a front organization for the Lashkar e Jhangvi.the terrorists behind the shia genocide in Balochistan. Secondly, the TTP bombings and gun attacks took place without the victims being given any security by the security apparatus. In a country that is alive with spooks and where the Army calls the shots, this is curious to say the best. Amidst the calls for an end to drone attacks in north western Pakistan, I have yet to hear an ounce of concern for the victims of the suicide bombings orchestrated by the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network: the organizations that are being attacked by the US using drones. Again, very curious.

Rizwaan Mohammed
13 May 2013 4:41am

35

I could mention the rigged elections and electoral fraud but I have known Pakistan too long, to know that love going around in circles without any resolutions Are you a we developer? Try out the HTML to PDF API open in browser for PRO version

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for too long, to know that we love going around in circles without any resolutions and all the time pointing fingers. I just wonder what priority he will place on the dire need for education in the country. I can't see him losing too much sleep over it though, and besides better educated Pakistanis wouldn't toe the line in voting along caste/geographical lines, so it's of no real benefit to him and his power hungry cronies.

firestarter1
13 May 2013 6:19am

15

I second that put a stop to those Drones killing innocent men women and children, how would Obama feel if China decided to do the same in the name of stopping terrorist cells etc in the US

nobelsyed
13 May 2013 6:40am

14

OMG Nawaz Sharif !!! Twice before he brought such grief This democracy's such a sum old thing You often get such ding a lings Hand picked by that Zia-ul-Haq Bloody hell and WTF

BlueCollar
13 May 2013 6:46am

26

Tail between his legs, when pressured by Musharraf, our "Lion of Punjab" rushed into the lap of his Saudi benefactors. So much for the courage of Nawaz Sharif-

5371aa
13 May 2013 8:15am

12

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@BlueCollar - Indeed, and the jackal of Sind, Asif Ali Zardari, has never been conspicuous for staying to face the music either.

BabuPallaty
13 May 2013 6:58am

25

One group of dynastic thieves replace another group of dynastic thieves, send more aid quickly there are shopping malls to build in Dubai...

Boon Tee Tan

13 May 2013 7:11am

Sharif can be the premier again, but he will be overwhelmed by the multitude of long and practically unsolvable political and economic problems. For starters, he has to face terrorism, sectarian conflicts, shrinking economy, unemployment, corruption, women's right, etc. Moreover, the military may not lie dormant after the arrest of its former chief Musharraf. Closer tie with the US or not, one doubts he could be third time lucky.

cynic47
13 May 2013 11:24am

@Boon Tee Tan - From what I hear he needs to one thing, keep the lights burning (and the ACs) all through the day.

gladiolus
13 May 2013 7:39am

Hopefully he will also jail the dog Musharraf in Kot Lakhpat instead of his villa

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Madranon
13 May 2013 7:41am

Being soft on groups which are ideologically close to the Taliban can only infer that he is in with the Taliban. However, that may be a positive thing. It could be an excuse to get our soldiers out of Afghanistan if the Taliban is viewed as being the dominant ideology, (which it is) supporting the Karzai regime is nothing more than propping up a rotting corpse.

ng169133
13 May 2013 8:06am

Both Sharif's party and Imran's party had the stoppage of drones in their election manifesto. US keeps saying that the drones by Obama to have been one of the most successful tools in their 'fight against terror' . (Ref Fareed Zakaria: GPS via CNN this week ) Obama has dropped about 10 x the drones by Bush, so far. How would the US now face this unpalatable coming reality? There now would be all manner of threats (withholding US 'aid') and other unscrupulous means (bribing state officials) by the Obama administration to change the future Sharif administration policy on drone attacks. Would the Sharif administration be able to stand against the US pressure? Yes or no? Punters can place their bets.

elmondo2012
13 May 2013 8:13am

12

People were intimated not to vote for candidate x, y or z with acts of violence, where men with guns went into polling stations and forced the women to leave (as you do) and then told the other men who to vote for (otherwise they would have been given a lead salad for lunch) and the people who collected the ballot boxes stuffed extra votes into them before handing them in to get counted. What a complete farce of the democratic process.

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elmondo2012
13 May 2013 8:19am

14

It's probably just as well for Khan that he didn't win. Given the numerous fatwas that were placed on him before the election I think there is a high probability of him being assassinated by either someone or some group in Pakistan if he had been elected. Also, I strongly suspect that the US would want him dead given that he wants to effectively severe ties with the US. Barry would not have been pleased if he had won. As long as Pakistan continues to take as much aid as it does from the US (which often ends up in the bank accounts of corrupt politicians) it has to toe the line set out by the US State Department and Washington. The CIA have been in 'the business' of political assassinations for decades and wouldn't think twice about slotting him.

Kalandar
13 May 2013 8:53am

The only future for the people of pakistan is in a pragmatic coming together with India. And no (sensible) person wants to go back to the cave with sharia law. It is based on unjust principles and does not accord with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The future of the world is secular.

ChaseChubby
13 May 2013 8:55am

@Kalandar - I doubt that India is interested. Pakistani Muslims demanded to be separate from India in 1947/48 and got their wish.

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Musa1
13 May 2013 9:18am

@Kalandar I feel sorry for your myopic and imperious worldview. Pakistan must remain free of America's and India's regional designs, which are to subjugate Pakistan to their mutual full spectrum dominance. And Pakistani elites who have defrauded and corrupted Pakistan for decades, will likely be the candidates to facilitate this capitulation. The world must come to realize that wherever 'secularism' rules, elites will gain the upper hand to the detriment and subjugation of the masses.

Kalandar
13 May 2013 9:24am

@ChaseChubby - Fair point. And mistakes do happen.

Kalandar
13 May 2013 9:27am

@Musa1 - Like in saudi arabia

elmondo2012
13 May 2013 11:06am

@Musa1 The world must come to realize that wherever 'secularism' rules, elites will gain the upper hand to the detriment and subjugation of the masses.

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What may I ask is your preferred alternative to secularism?

ChaseChubby
13 May 2013 8:54am

Next prime minister set to push through plans to curb power of generals, bolster economy and improve relations with India How boring. Now. What is he going to do about US drones killing Taliban killers? Surely that is something close to the hearts of all Pakistanis. In fact, the only thing about Pakistan of any importance. To Guardianistas at least.

5371aa
13 May 2013 9:04am

@ChaseChubby - Ignorant bore appearing on Guardian blog with an offtopic moan about "Guardianistas"? Never seen that before.

Musa1
13 May 2013 9:14am

@ChaseChubby - I wonder why drone kills are important to Pakistanis? It's not like anyone involved with drone kills from the Pakistani ruling elite should face criminal prosecution and a death penalty for treason. It's not like its a treasonous betrayal of the very idea of autonomy and self governance on behalf of imperial interests.

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nadraz
13 May 2013 9:01am

12

So, same old feudal, land owner class gains power......nothing will change in Pakistan then; endemic corruption, graft in favour of family/friends, fear of taking on religious extremists and no movement on social cohesion or equality.....same old, same old

Musa1
13 May 2013 9:08am

10

One of Pakistan's greatest problems is the subversive and intrusiveness of American regional interests subjugating and undermining Pakistani interests. Since 1948, America has used Pakistan for its own regional interests largely to Pakistan's own detriments, but to the benefit of elite Pakistanis who have done America's bidding. Today is not different. The fact that American drones and spies have continued to kill Pakistanis on Pakistani soil, while ISI and military generals have (benefited likely in $$$ funds to both private accounts and departmental coffers) is a clear indicator that this imperious relationship with America has reached an obscene and uncontrollable dimension. Can and will Sharif stop it? Or will he just take the $billion dollars (bags of cash?) with a wink and a nod to ol' Uncle Sam while publically objecting to drones and American spies? BTW, who is Sarfraz? "Everyone wants peace with India"? What an interesting assertion. According to who's terms? So Pakistan is permanently subservient to America's and India's regional power interests? Because that's what America and India want: Pakistan as a subservient and compliant gateway to Indian regional dominance and access to Central Asia, blocking Chinese, Russian, and Arab/other interests in Central Asia. What is peace when it means you are a footstool to someone else's full spectrum superiority over you- it is capitulation and surrender. It is well known that India was funding the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan and under Karzai now has 1000s of operatives there. Meanwhile, Pakistan has been sell out the Taliban or face the full imperial domination. Are you a developer? Try out theforce HTMLof to American PDF API open in browser forced PRO to version

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forced to sell out the Taliban or face the full force of American imperial domination. Only the ISI have been willing to keep hold of Pakistan's once regional importance. Will Sharif continue? Or will Sharif cave in to Indian regional dominance? And if Sharif caves in, will he stand to profit like Zardari certainly has? They say making money is much easier after your first billion.

KamranKhan
13 May 2013 9:29am

16

From Jon Boone's other article Pakistan elections: PTI's Imran Khan fails to make expected gains They wiped out ANP in KPK and emerged as largest party in the house. In Punjab, they emerged as 2nd largest party, attracting more votes than PPPP and Q-league - which, in context of British politics, is akin to Green Party emerging as 2nd largest party in all Tory-labour, Tory-libdem & labour-libdem marginals. If this is not more than realistically expected gains than I don't know what is!

TopTaciturn
13 May 2013 9:45am

".... of the tax net so more people pay that could prove unpopular with Sharif's own business-world supporters."-- Sounds vaguely familiar to democrats in the USA, this business of legislating a higher tax for the well to-do, private or corporate.

ReubenDarcy
13 May 2013 10:47am

Pakistani politics is a mud-fight between two neo-feudalistic and utterly corrupt patronage-groups. The fact that the NON-incumbent racket has won this election, rather than its rival, offers no grounds for optimism, let alone jubilation. The Sharif mafia and the Butto mafia are much of a muchness.

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astranaut
13 May 2013 11:19am

We need to keep religion away from politics! http://igg.me/p/403326/x/3204541

FunkyMunky1
13 May 2013 11:24am

Seeing the election result there is only one thing left to say to my fellow Pakistanis.....lakh di laanat!!!!

Steve Willis
13 May 2013 11:36am

What a dreadful country.

cureyourignorance_12
13 May 2013 12:02pm

@Steve Willis - I believe you speak of the USA where there is INJUSTICE in DEMOCRATIC STATE with the arresting of an 80 year old nun.

cureyourignorance_12
13 May 2013 12:04pm

@Steve Willis - The two idiots that did support you in your views are even more idiotic.

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DeendayalLulla
13 May 2013 11:45am

The election results in Pakistan may not bring relief to Sindhis living in Pakistan. Sindh is the only province in Pakistan with a multi-ethnic population Parsis,Buddhists,Hindus,Muslims,and Christians. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) is popular there. It is a peculiar situation in Sindh- political parties select candidates to fight elections,and the people are not allowed to select their own candidates ,even though they are allowed double voting. Sindh is rich in natural resources like oil and gas. There have been protests in Sindh,demanding the separation of Sindh from Pakistan,with slogans like,"Na khape,na khape ,Pakistan na Khape" (We do not want Pakistan). Even Balochistan wants to separate from Pakistan. Not many know that Sindh was part of Bombay province before Partition. For minorities in Pakistan,election results may not bring much relief.

KamranKhan
13 May 2013 12:00pm

@DeendayalLulla - then how come 10 parties alliance, which also included Sindhi nationalist parties, manage to field candidates? If political parties are not giving a platform to independence seeking nationalist Sindhis then why are not any independent candidates running in election? Utter bollocks! Sindhi nationalists (seeking independence) were never became mainstream and remained a wet dream for some friends across eastern border. In each election Sindhis mostly voted for Sindhi speaking leadership and majority people's party - and that is a fact.

cureyourignorance_12
13 May 2013 12:00pm

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What about the illegal Drones that are being dropped by the US Government. There is no mention of that? Nawaz Sharif is a Politician that has been bought by the Saudi Government who fund Extremism and to that the USA would surely show their support. For surely they are seeking to get a hold on Pakistans Nuclear Bomb. Military Power should remain in Pakistan otherwise cheap bought politicians would
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Military Power should remain in Pakistan otherwise cheap bought politicians would give their entire sovereignty to the west.

Raghuvansh1
13 May 2013 12:10pm

Bread and butter of armies depend on enmity with India if that is not there how can armies survive?Can America help if Pakistan try to be peaceful country? Terrorists life depend on some enemy if there is no enemy how can they survive?Can Pakistan abandon occupy Kashmir on which Pakistan is united ?Hundred questions prevent to Pakistan to build good relation ship with India

FunkyMunky1
13 May 2013 1:11pm

@Raghuvansh1 - lol I don't know what kind of crap you are fed but I am from Azad Kashmir and we are not "occupied" by Pakistan.

Arvind Patel Dharmajkar

13 May 2013 12:13pm

If history of Pakistan is any indication,it is highly doubtful for Nawaz Sharif to have .politically successful achievements.The same history of Pakistan tells us that improvement of relations between India and Pakistan will remain a mere illusion and delusion.

Steve Back
13 May 2013 12:34pm

So Imran Khan failed to get the "swing" he wanted?

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telbertinoutremer
13 May 2013 12:40pm

That Sharif bloke used to be a very good actor, but he's put on so much weight, a career in politics may now be a good move for him. He was really good in Dr. Zhivago.

imranbhatt
13 May 2013 1:19pm

Looking at the election results, it seems Pakistan as a federation has taken a step back. Though complete wiping out of PPP from Punjab is very surprising, yet PTI getting largest share of seats from KPK is not unusual. In all three elections in KPK, electorate voted in different political party on each occasion. Going forward, PML-N has to stop relying upon political sloganeering and has to present workable and realistic plans to address energy crisis, terrorism, ethnicity, economy, civilmilitary relationships and foreign policy issues vis-a-vis the US, Afghanistan and India particularly.

begmohsin
13 May 2013 1:48pm

India and China have border disputes, Pakistan foreign policy should be to have allliance with China, boost economic trade, and both countries China and Pakistan should establish a free trade zone to out perform rival india. If Pakistan and china can develop strong military relationships that could also act as a further deterrance in the region and develop capabilities in being more economically powerful in the Asian region. Islamic Republic of Pakistan, needs to find a way to reduce their financial aid dependancies and political influence from the likes of the USA and UK and engage with other countries like Japan, Russia etc USA< UK, give foreign aid to countries like Pakistan, and then play the "Master" ...."Slave" relationships this should come to end, politically and economically. Expat Pakistanis from the UK and around the world, should use economic leverage to built a more politically stable a more plausiable pakistan, a moderate Pakistan. will also enable Are many bornTry pakistanis thetoopportunities to return back to you British a developer? out the HTML PDF API open in browser ItPRO version

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It will also enable many British born pakistanis the opportunities to return back to their motherland, channelling their professionalism, expertise hence Nation building, clearly their parents, and grandfathers failed to built a crediable stable Pakistan. Countries should not be poor and in the brink of desperation,because all people do is then find ways to illegally immigrate to the West which then adds further baggage to the frustrated West. Not in this era, though, lol

kilbreck
13 May 2013 1:49pm

To an outsider looking in the question appears to be, can Pakistan ever elect a democratic government that is free from corruption.Old enemy India appears to be able to manage a large thriving economy with free elections and a forward thinking people that can provide education for men & women. Pakistan appears to be living in the 'tribal middle ages' with a 'down on anything female' and is going back in the world. The major difference appears to be religion and that leaves the question does being a Muslim dominated country prove to be a permanent block towards any forward progress in the modern world ? Pakistan needs billions of $ in aid, Indian does not require any aid.

rash1144
13 May 2013 3:04pm

There is no doubt that Zardari is far more corrupt than Sheriff,the former is second richest person in Pakistan and incumbent prime minister of Pakistan is fifth in dollar terms, more than a billion assets, however, Sheriff's steel business is ancestral, his family had factory and business before partition of India. The corruption starts from top and then permeates to the clerk level, but the caveat is Zardari is very cunning than Sheriff. Moreover, Sheriff by nature is a weak man and this time, if he chooses well thought after measures and create an intelligent team to work with, then a crumbling Pakistan can be saved from total chaos and catastrophe.

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