PML-N Government Era (2013–2018) | Nawaz Sharif & Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's Legacy
Major Events During PML-N Government (2013–2018)
Nawaz Sharif’s Leadership (2013–2017)
The tenure of Nawaz Sharif (2013–2017) as the Prime Minister of Pakistan is often regarded as one of the most development-focused periods in the country's history. This article highlights the major events, reforms, and political shifts that occurred during this period, followed by the continuation of PML-N governance under Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
2013 General Elections: A Political Comeback
On May 11, 2013, general elections were held in Pakistan. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) emerged victorious with 129 seats, followed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with 30, PTI with 25, and MQM with 19. Nawaz Sharif became Prime Minister for the third time on June 5, 2013.
Political Context and PPP’s Decline
The previous PPP-led government faced criticism for high inflation, energy crises, terrorism, and poor governance. These shortcomings allowed Nawaz Sharif to reemerge as a national leader with promises of development, reform, and economic recovery.
Privatization Policy and IMF Bailouts
Nawaz Sharif’s government emphasized privatization to revive the economy. Following IMF recommendations, Pakistan privatized 31 state-owned enterprises. In return, Pakistan received $5.3 billion (July 2013) and later $6.7 billion (September 2013) in bailout packages from the IMF.
PTI Dharna & Political Turmoil (2014)
Imran Khan’s PTI, with newfound popularity, alleged election rigging and launched a major protest in August 2014. The 126-day-long sit-in (Dharna) in Islamabad, alongside Tahir-ul-Qadri’s party, caused economic losses of over PKR 600 billion. It ended after the APS Peshawar massacre on December 16, 2014.
APS Attack, National Action Plan & Counter-Terror Operations
On December 16, 2014, Pakistan witnessed one of the darkest days in its history when terrorists from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacked the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar. The barbaric massacre claimed the lives of over 140 innocent children and staff, shaking the entire nation and triggering widespread grief and outrage.
In response to the attack, the government, military, and all political stakeholders swiftly united to form the National Action Plan (NAP). Unveiled in late December 2014, NAP comprised 20 points aimed at eliminating terrorism, extremism, and sectarianism from the country. It included reforms in madrassa regulation, hate speech monitoring, and blocking terrorist financing networks.
The implementation of NAP was bolstered by the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, a large-scale military offensive initiated earlier on June 15, 2014, in North Waziristan. The operation targeted militant hideouts and infrastructure, focusing on groups like the TTP, Al-Qaeda affiliates, and foreign insurgents. It significantly reduced the frequency of terrorist attacks across the country.
To ensure swift justice, the government reinstated military courts in January 2015 through constitutional amendments. These special courts were empowered to conduct speedy trials of hardcore terrorists, initially authorized for two years. Their establishment reflected the state’s resolve to combat terrorism with uncompromising legal measures.
Together, these actions marked a paradigm shift in Pakistan’s internal security strategy, demonstrating unified political will and military determination to counter extremism. They also helped restore relative stability in urban centers and border regions over the following years.
Economic Measures & Bond Issuance
- In 2015, Pakistan issued $500 million Eurobonds at 8.25% interest rate.
- Islamic bonds (Sukuk) worth $1 billion were issued at 5.5% interest.
- GDP growth peaked at 5.8%, the highest in a decade.
- Inflation dropped from 25% (2008) to 13%.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at enhancing connectivity between Western China and the Arabian Sea through Pakistan. Officially launched in April 2015, CPEC gained significant momentum during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure as Prime Minister.
Initially valued at $46 billion, the project expanded to $62 billion by 2017. It includes a vast network of roads, motorways, energy plants, special economic zones, and the development of Gwadar Port. Key initiatives such as the Karachi-Lahore Motorway, Orange Line Train in Lahore, and energy projects in Punjab and Sindh were prioritized.
CPEC was seen as a game-changer for Pakistan’s economy, promising to reduce energy shortages, boost trade, create jobs, and improve regional connectivity. During Nawaz Sharif’s government, over 73 billion PKR were allocated for CPEC-related development.
Beyond infrastructure, CPEC also enhanced Pakistan's strategic ties with China, solidifying bilateral cooperation in defense, diplomacy, and trade. The project has since remained central to Pakistan’s economic planning and foreign policy discourse.
Foreign Policy Milestones
- Nawaz Sharif attended Modi’s oath-taking ceremony (May 26, 2014).
- Resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue in 2015 (Heart of Asia Conference).
- Iran, Turkey, and Malaysia signed FTA negotiations with Pakistan.
- Kalbushan Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan in 2016, exposing India’s covert operations.
- Pakistan signed $5 billion agreements with Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.
- Russia's defense minister visited Pakistan (2014).
Infrastructure & Development
- Lahore Metro Bus and Orange Line Train.
- Islamabad-Rawalpindi Metro Bus.
- Islamabad-Faisalabad-Khanewal M-4 Motorway.
- Islamabad International Airport completed.
- Thar Coal Project and new dams initiated.
- Internet upgrades from 3G to 5G groundwork.
Social Welfare and Reforms
- PM Youth Program: Interest-free loans, skill training, and laptop scheme.
- Women’s Protection Bill and national women helpline (2016).
- Ban on Tablighi Jamaat’s activities in institutions (2016).
Mumtaz Qadri’s Execution and Rise of TLP
One of the most controversial and sensitive events during Nawaz Sharif’s third term as Prime Minister was the execution of Mumtaz Qadri, a former police commando who assassinated Punjab Governor Salman Taseer in 2011. Qadri claimed he was defending the honor of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), citing Taseer's criticism of Pakistan's blasphemy laws.
After a prolonged legal battle and national debate, Mumtaz Qadri was hanged on February 29, 2016, sparking intense public outrage and mass protests across the country. He was viewed by a large segment of society as a martyr, especially by conservative religious factions. His funeral drew tens of thousands, signaling the rise of a new wave of religious populism.
In response to Qadri's execution and growing religious sentiment, a new political movement emerged — the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), led by Khadim Hussain Rizvi. TLP was built around the defense of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and the narrative of protecting the honor of the Prophet (PBUH).
Faizabad Dharna (TLP Sit-in Protest – 2017)
The TLP made headlines in November 2017 when it launched a major sit-in at the Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad, protesting against a minor alteration in the wording of the oath related to the finality of Prophethood (Khatm-e-Nubuwwat) in the Election Act 2017. The protesters demanded the resignation of the then Law Minister Zahid Hamid.
The sit-in lasted over three weeks, paralyzing the capital and spreading unrest in multiple cities. Despite several failed negotiations, the government ultimately signed an agreement brokered by the military, accepting TLP’s demands, including the resignation of Zahid Hamid.
The Faizabad Dharna not only revealed the state's weakness in handling religious extremism but also marked TLP’s rise as a formidable political force in Pakistan. The protest was later criticized by the Supreme Court for undermining state authority and called for clearer boundaries between religious activism and state governance.
These events collectively exposed deep divisions in Pakistani society between secular governance and religious sentiments and demonstrated how public emotions can shape political narratives.
Panama Papers Leak and Nawaz Sharif’s Disqualification
In April 2016, the Panama Papers leak by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) exposed offshore holdings and financial dealings of numerous global elites, including the family of then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The leak revealed that Sharif’s children owned offshore companies and assets, including luxury apartments in London, which were not declared in Pakistan.
The revelations sparked massive political uproar in Pakistan. Opposition parties, especially Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan, demanded Nawaz Sharif’s resignation and a judicial probe into the allegations. The Supreme Court of Pakistan took up the case, commonly known as the Panama Case.
On April 20, 2017, the Supreme Court ruled a split decision (3–2), ordering the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to further investigate the financial records and money trail of the Sharif family. The JIT submitted its report in July 2017, highlighting discrepancies, unexplained wealth, and forged documents.
Based on the JIT findings, the Supreme Court delivered its final verdict on July 28, 2017, disqualifying Nawaz Sharif from holding public office under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution for not being “honest and truthful.” The court also referred the case to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further proceedings.
Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification marked a historic moment in Pakistan’s judicial and political history. It was the first time a sitting Prime Minister was removed directly through a corruption-related court ruling. The decision significantly impacted Pakistan’s political landscape, paving the way for the 2018 elections and altering the trajectory of PML-N’s leadership.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s Tenure (2017–2018)
Following Nawaz’s disqualification, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was elected Prime Minister on August 1, 2017. His tenure focused on energy sector improvements, continuation of CPEC, and completing constitutional and legislative reforms.
Key Legislative Reforms Under Shahid Khaqan Abbasi
1. The Election Act 2017
During Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s tenure as Prime Minister, one of the most significant legal reforms was the passage of the Election Act 2017, which consolidated and modernized all previous election-related laws. Enacted on October 2, 2017, the Act aimed to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and uniformity to Pakistan’s electoral process.
The law restructured the powers of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), granting it financial and administrative autonomy. It also introduced stricter regulations for campaign financing, disclosure of assets by candidates, and improved the voter registration system through NADRA.
However, the law became controversial due to a minor but sensitive change in the wording of the declaration regarding the finality of Prophethood (Khatm-e-Nubuwwat), which led to nationwide protests and the Faizabad sit-in by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). The government later restored the original wording through an amendment and the Law Minister resigned as part of a negotiated settlement.
2. The 25th Constitutional Amendment (2018)
The 25th Constitutional Amendment, passed in May 2018, was a landmark development that led to the merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This historic step aimed to integrate the tribal regions into Pakistan's mainstream legal and administrative framework.
The amendment abolished the outdated colonial-era Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and extended the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and High Court to the former FATA areas. It was seen as a major step toward empowering tribal communities with political rights, representation, and equal access to justice and development.
The merger faced both praise and resistance but was widely acknowledged as a necessary move for long-term peace, governance, and inclusion of marginalized regions into the national fold.
Conclusion
The PML-N government (2013–2018) achieved remarkable progress in infrastructure, foreign relations, economic growth, and counter-terrorism. Despite political instability and the Panama scandal, it completed its full term, making it the second civilian government in Pakistan’s history to do so.
Internal Links:
💬 Share Your Thoughts
We welcome your feedback and perspectives on this crucial era in Pakistan’s political history. Leave a comment below and let us know your views!