Shehbaz Sharif

Shehbaz Sharif
Formal portrait, 2024
Shehbaz Sharif
Born	Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif 23 9, 1951
Birthplace	Lahore, West Punjab, Pakistan
Nationality	Pakistani
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Known for	Longest-serving Chief Minister of Punjab; 20th Prime Minister of Pakistan
Spouse(s)	Template:Plainlist

Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif (born 23 September 1951) is a Pakistani politician and businessman serving as the 20th Prime Minister of Pakistan since March 2024. He previously held the office from April 2022 to August 2023. A central figure in the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), Shehbaz Sharif is the younger brother of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and has built a political career spanning more than three decades, rooted primarily in the governance of Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province. He served as Chief Minister of Punjab on three separate occasions—from 1997 to 1999, from 2008 to 2013, and from 2013 to 2018—making him the longest-serving individual in that role. During his tenures as chief minister, he earned a reputation as an administrator focused on infrastructure development and public service delivery. Following the ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion in April 2022, Shehbaz Sharif was elected prime minister by the National Assembly of Pakistan. After serving until August 2023, he returned to the office in March 2024 following the 2024 general election, leading a coalition government. His political journey has been shaped by periods of exile, legal challenges, and the dynastic politics that have long characterized Pakistani public life.

Early Life

Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was born on 23 September 1951 in Lahore, then part of West Punjab, Pakistan. He belongs to the prominent Sharif family, an industrialist clan of Kashmiri descent that has played a dominant role in Pakistani politics since the late 1980s. His elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, would go on to serve as Prime Minister of Pakistan three times.

The Sharif family's wealth was built through the steel industry, with the family-owned Ittefaq Group becoming one of the largest industrial conglomerates in Pakistan. The family's roots in business provided a foundation for their eventual entry into national politics. Shehbaz Sharif grew up in Lahore, a city that would become the epicenter of both his political career and the broader PML-N political machinery.

Shehbaz Sharif's entry into business preceded his political career. He was involved in the management of the family's industrial enterprises before turning to politics in the late 1980s. The Sharif family's business background and their base in Punjab's capital, Lahore, positioned them as influential figures in the province's economic and political landscape. The intertwining of business interests and political power became a defining feature of the Sharif family's public profile, a characteristic shared by several prominent political dynasties in Pakistan.

Career

Early Political Career (1988–1996)

Shehbaz Sharif entered electoral politics in 1988, when he was elected to the Provincial Assembly of Punjab as a candidate of the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), a right-of-center alliance that included the PML and the Jamaat-e-Islami. His entry into politics came during a period of democratic transition in Pakistan following the death of military ruler General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and the restoration of civilian governance.

In 1990, Shehbaz Sharif was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan, representing a constituency in Lahore, as the IJI swept to power at the federal level with Nawaz Sharif becoming Prime Minister for the first time. This period marked the consolidation of the Sharif family's dual presence in both provincial and federal politics.

Following the dismissal of Nawaz Sharif's government in 1993 and the subsequent general elections, Shehbaz Sharif returned to the Punjab Assembly. He was re-elected to the provincial legislature and was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, a role that kept him at the center of provincial politics during the government of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Islamabad under Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

First Term as Chief Minister of Punjab (1997–1999)

The 1997 general elections produced a landslide victory for the PML(N) at both the federal and provincial levels. Nawaz Sharif was elected Prime Minister for a second time, while Shehbaz Sharif was elected Chief Minister of Punjab on 20 February 1997. This marked the beginning of his first tenure at the helm of Pakistan's largest province by population.

During his first term as chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif focused on infrastructure projects and urban development in Punjab, particularly in Lahore. His administration launched several development initiatives that would become characteristic of PML(N) governance in the province.

This term was cut short by the military coup of 12 October 1999, led by General Pervez Musharraf, which overthrew the government of Nawaz Sharif. The coup ended civilian rule in Pakistan and had direct consequences for the entire Sharif family. Both Nawaz and Shehbaz Sharif were arrested and detained in the immediate aftermath of the military takeover.

Exile and Return (1999–2007)

Following the military coup and the subsequent trial and conviction of Nawaz Sharif on charges related to the hijacking of a plane carrying General Musharraf, the Sharif family negotiated a deal that resulted in their exile to Saudi Arabia. Shehbaz Sharif, along with other members of the family, spent years in self-imposed exile in the kingdom.

The years of exile kept the Sharif brothers out of Pakistani politics during a critical period that included the presidency of Pervez Musharraf, the September 11 attacks and Pakistan's subsequent alliance with the United States in the War on Terror, and significant political realignment within the country. Reports during this period indicated that the military government made attempts to engage with Shehbaz Sharif separately from his brother Nawaz, seeking to potentially co-opt him into a political arrangement that would exclude the elder Sharif.

Shehbaz Sharif returned to Pakistan in 2007, during a period of political upheaval that eventually led to the resignation of President Musharraf and the restoration of full civilian governance. His return set the stage for the PML(N)'s re-entry into competitive electoral politics.

Second and Third Terms as Chief Minister (2008–2018)

The 2008 general election brought the PML(N) back to power in Punjab, and Shehbaz Sharif was appointed Chief Minister of Punjab on 8 June 2008. However, his second term was marked by political turbulence. In February 2009, the Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualified Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif from holding public office, leading to the imposition of governor's rule in Punjab. Following political negotiations and a subsequent legal reversal, Shehbaz Sharif was reinstated as Chief Minister on 30 March 2009 and served until 26 March 2013, when a caretaker government was installed ahead of the next general election.

The 2013 general election resulted in another commanding victory for the PML(N) in Punjab. Shehbaz Sharif was elected Chief Minister of Punjab for a third time on 7 June 2013. During this term, his administration continued to prioritize large-scale infrastructure and transportation projects. The Lahore Orange Line Metro Train, road networks, and energy projects were among the initiatives undertaken during this period. He earned recognition as an administrator with a focus on project delivery and urban modernization in Punjab.

His third term lasted until 7 June 2018, when a caretaker government took over ahead of the 2018 elections. By this time, Shehbaz Sharif had become the longest-serving Chief Minister of Punjab in the province's history, a distinction earned through his three non-consecutive terms spanning two decades.

President of PML(N)

In March 2018, following the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif from holding public office in the wake of the Panama Papers case, Shehbaz Sharif was nominated as the president of the PML(N) on 13 March 2018. This represented a formal elevation of his role within the party, though Nawaz Sharif continued to exercise significant influence over party affairs. Shehbaz Sharif served as PML(N) president until 13 May 2024, when Nawaz Sharif resumed the presidency of the party.

Leader of the Opposition (2018–2022)

The 2018 general election saw the PML(N) lose power at the federal level to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan, as well as in Punjab. Shehbaz Sharif was elected to the National Assembly from his Lahore constituency and was subsequently nominated as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly on 20 August 2018.

As Leader of the Opposition, Shehbaz Sharif led the parliamentary opposition against the PTI government of Imran Khan. This period was characterized by intense political polarization, with the opposition alliance—the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)—staging protests and rallies against the PTI government. The opposition accused the government of economic mismanagement, erosion of democratic norms, and political victimization, while the government alleged corruption against opposition leaders including members of the Sharif family.

First Term as Prime Minister (2022–2023)

In April 2022, a no-confidence motion was tabled against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly. After a period of constitutional crisis—during which the deputy speaker initially attempted to dismiss the motion and the president dissolved the assembly, actions later overturned by the Supreme Court—the no-confidence motion was voted upon and passed on 10 April 2022. Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the 23rd Prime Minister of Pakistan on 11 April 2022, leading a coalition government composed of the PML(N), PPP, and several smaller parties.

His first term as prime minister was marked by economic challenges, including high inflation, a depreciating rupee, and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout program. The government faced the difficult task of implementing fiscal austerity measures while managing the political fallout of rising prices and energy costs. His tenure also coincided with the devastating floods of 2022, which affected millions of people across the country and caused billions of dollars in damage.

Shehbaz Sharif served as Prime Minister until 14 August 2023, when his term ended with the dissolution of the National Assembly ahead of the general election that was constitutionally due.

Second Term as Prime Minister (2024–present)

The 2024 general election, held in February 2024, produced a fragmented result. The PML(N) won a minority of seats in the National Assembly but was able to form a coalition government with the support of the PPP and other allied parties. Shehbaz Sharif was elected Prime Minister for a second time on 4 March 2024, with Ishaq Dar serving as his deputy. Asif Ali Zardari of the PPP was elected as President of Pakistan, cementing the coalition arrangement.

In his second term, Shehbaz Sharif has continued to engage in international diplomacy. In September 2025, he met with United States President Donald Trump alongside Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House.

In February 2026, Shehbaz Sharif visited Qatar for discussions with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and senior Qatari officials, focusing on trade relations, foreign direct investment, and regional peace and stability. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Asim Munir accompanied him on the visit.

Personal Life

Shehbaz Sharif is a member of the Sharif family, one of the most prominent political dynasties in Pakistan. His elder brother, Nawaz Sharif, served as Prime Minister of Pakistan three times. The family's political influence has extended across generations, with several members of the family holding elected office or playing roles in party affairs.

Shehbaz Sharif has been married three times. His first marriage was to Nusrat Shehbaz in 1973. He subsequently married Aaliya Honey in 1993; this marriage ended in divorce in 1994. In 2003, he married Tehmina Durrani, an author and former wife of politician Mustafa Khar.

His son, Hamza Shehbaz, has also entered politics and served briefly as Chief Minister of Punjab in 2022, continuing the family's political presence in the province. The dynastic character of the Sharif family's political engagement has been a subject of commentary in Pakistani media and political discourse, reflective of broader patterns of political dynasties across South Asia.

Recognition

Shehbaz Sharif has received attention both domestically and internationally for his record as an administrator. During his tenures as Chief Minister of Punjab, he was noted for his focus on infrastructure development, public transportation projects, and urban modernization. The Britannica encyclopaedia has described him as having "earned a reputation as an able administrator."

His administration's infrastructure projects in Punjab, including metro bus systems and road networks, drew both praise for their execution and criticism regarding their cost and prioritization over other sectors such as health and education. His governance style has been characterized by a focus on large-scale development projects, which supporters credit with modernizing Punjab's urban infrastructure and critics describe as emphasizing visible construction over systemic reform.

As Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif has engaged with international leaders and institutions, including meetings with heads of state from the United States, Qatar, China, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. His diplomatic engagements have focused on economic assistance, trade partnerships, and Pakistan's strategic relationships.

Legacy

Shehbaz Sharif's political legacy is defined by his long tenure in Punjab's governance and his subsequent elevation to the prime ministership. As the longest-serving Chief Minister of Punjab, he shaped the province's administrative direction over three separate terms spanning from 1997 to 2018. His emphasis on infrastructure development during these tenures left a physical imprint on Punjab's cities, particularly Lahore, where projects such as the Orange Line Metro Train, flyovers, and road networks were among the most visible outcomes of his governance.

His role as a counterpart to his brother Nawaz Sharif in Pakistani politics has been a defining feature of the PML(N)'s structure. While Nawaz Sharif served as the party's dominant figure at the federal level, Shehbaz Sharif built a parallel base of power in Punjab, creating a dual leadership model that sustained the party through periods of exile, military rule, and electoral setbacks. His assumption of the party presidency in 2018, following Nawaz Sharif's disqualification, reflected both his standing within the party and the challenges of maintaining party cohesion during a period of legal and political pressure on the Sharif family.

His first term as Prime Minister, coming through the removal of Imran Khan via a no-confidence vote, placed him at the helm during a period of economic difficulty. The management of the IMF program, inflationary pressures, and the aftermath of the 2022 floods defined his initial period in office. His return to the prime ministership in 2024 at the head of a coalition government reflected the fractured nature of Pakistani politics following the 2024 elections.

Shehbaz Sharif's career illustrates the persistence of dynastic politics in Pakistan, the centrality of Punjab to national political power, and the recurring cycles of civilian governance, military intervention, exile, and return that have characterized Pakistani political history since independence.