Nawaz Sharif’s Second Term (1997–1999): Atomic Power, Reforms & Political Crisis in Pakistan
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Second Term (1997–1999): Constitutional Power, Nuclear Tests & Political Clashes For political background, read the article on Nawaz Sharif’s First Term (1990–1993) . Introduction In the 1997 general elections, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, secured a historic victory. This marked Nawaz Sharif’s second tenure as Prime Minister—his first under the official banner of PML-N, having previously led under the IJI (Islami Jamhoori Ittehad) alliance. These elections saw not only the continued rivalry between PML-N and PPP but also the entry of a third force: Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), making its electoral debut. 1997 General Elections: A Landmark Win PML-N won approximately 66% of the popular vote, securing 137 out of 207 National Assembly seats , granting them a rare two-thirds majority. This gave Nawaz Sharif unprecedented legislative power, enabling constitutional amendments without needi...