Challenges to Governments in Islamic Republic of Pakistan and their responses: A Case Study of Nawāz Sharīf’s Second Regime

Abstract

In the second regime of Nawaz Sharif (1997-1999), the role of the establishment in politics was less prominent, even though it had facilitated PML (N) on road to success immensely. The slogan of Islamization of the society had been the main focus of Nawaz’s government. The civil bureaucracy on the whole remained under the control of the government mainly due to the heavy electoral mandate of the government and its policies.  This era began with a strong democratic government but ended in a confrontation between government and opposition, between center and judiciary and within government coalition partners. The interesting tenable argument related to all the dire impediments faced by Nawaz Sharif is that he did not agree with the notion of neutrality and equality towards all the stakeholders of the political system. The article sought to bring forth all defies faced by the government and its response generated to them.