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As Shehbaz Sharif government completes term, a history of past Pakistani PM's tenures

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif leaves after a group photo with lawmakers of the National Assembly at the end of the last session of the current parliament, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on August 9, 2023. (AP)
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Updated 10 August 2023
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As Shehbaz Sharif government completes term, a history of past Pakistani PM's tenures

  • Pakistan, a parliamentary democracy for most of its history, has had a total of 30 prime ministers since 1947
  • When Imran Khan was ousted last April, he was one in a long line of Pakistani PMs sent home before their time
Updated 10 August 2023
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: When Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan lost a no-confidence vote in parliament last April, he was one in a long line of Pakistani premiers who went home before their time.

In fact, no prime minister had at that point completed a full five-year tenure in Pakistan’s 75-year history. Today, with the assemblies dissolved, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was voted in by parliament on April 12 days after Khan's ouster, became the first Pakistani PM to complete his term, albeit a shorter one of just 16 months.

Pakistan, a parliamentary democracy for most of its history, has had a total of 30 prime ministers since 1947 - one of whom took on the role twice in one year.

On 18 occasions, they have been removed on different pretexts, including corruption charges, direct military coups and forced resignations due to infighting in ruling groups. There was one assassination.

The remaining premiers held the position for a limited time as caretakers to oversee fresh elections or to see out a dismissed premier’s tenure.

The year 1993 was particularly fraught, with five changes in the premiership.

The shortest tenure for a prime minister is two weeks, while the longest is four years and two months.

Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has been elected prime minister three times - in 1990, 1997 and 2013 - the most for a single candidate.

Following is a list of prime ministers whose tenures ended prematurely since 1947. It does not include caretaker premiers or those who completed another prime minister’s term:

  • Liaquat Ali Khan

Pakistan’s first prime minister. Took office in August 1947. He was assassinated at a political rally on Oct. 16, 1951.

Tenure: Four years and two months.

  • Khawaja Nazimuddin

Took office on Oct. 17, 1951. He was dismissed on April 17, 1953, by the country’s governor general - a powerful position inherited from British colonial rule - on charges of mismanaging religious riots.

Tenure: One year and six months.

  • Muhammad Ali Bogra

Took office April 17, 1953. Resigned on Aug. 11, 1955.

Tenure: Two years and three months.

  • Chaudhri Mohammad Ali

Took office in August 1955. Internal differences in the ruling party led to his ouster on Sept. 12, 1956.

Tenure: One year and one month.

  • Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy

Took office on Sept. 12, 1956. Forced from office after differences with other power centres on Oct. 18, 1957.

Tenure: One year and one month.

  • Ibrahim Ismail Chundrigar

Took office in October 1957. Resigned on Dec. 16, 1957, faced with a no-confidence vote in parliament.

Tenure: Less than two months.

  • Malik Feroz Khan Noon

Took office Dec. 16, 1957. Dismissed due to the imposition of martial law in Pakistan on Oct. 7, 1958.

Tenure: Less than 10 months.

  • Noorul Amin

Took office Dec. 7, 1971. Left office on Dec. 20, 1971, shortly after the secession of Bangladesh from Pakistan.

Tenure: Less than two weeks.

  • Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Took office on Aug. 14, 1973. He was overthrown by a military coup on July 5, 1977, and eventually jailed and executed.

Tenure: Three years and 11 months.

  • Muhammad Khan Junejo

Took office in March 1985. He was dismissed on May 29, 1988, by the military chief who was also the president.

Tenure: Three years and two months.

  • Benazir Bhutto

Daughter of slain premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the first woman leader of a Muslim nation. Took office on Dec. 2, 1988. Her government was dismissed on Aug. 6, 1990, by the president, a close aid of the deceased military ruler, on charges of corruption.

Tenure: One year and eight months.

It would be the first of three governments dismissed on similar charges using the sweeping powers of the president.

  • Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif

Took office Nov. 6, 1990. His government was also dismissed by the president on similar charges as Bhutto on April 18, 1993.

He was able to get the decision overturned by the courts a few weeks later and returned to office, but resigned again after differences with the military.

Total tenure: Two years and seven months.

  • Benazir Bhutto

Returned to power for her second tenure in Oct. 19, 1993. Was dismissed by the president once again on charges of misgovernance on Nov. 5, 1996.

Tenure: Just over three years.

  • Nawaz Sharif

Came to power a second time on Feb. 17, 1997. Overthrown by a military coup - the third in Pakistan’s history - on Oct. 12, 1999.

Tenure: Two years and eight months.

  • Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali

Elected prime minister during military rule in November 2002. He resigned after differences with the military on June 26, 2004.

Tenure: One year and seven months.

  • Yousaf Raza Gilani

Elected prime minister on March 25, 2008. He was disqualified by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2012 on charges of “contempt of court”.

Tenure: Four years and one month.

  • Nawaz Sharif

Elected prime minister for a third time on June 5, 2013. He was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on charges of concealing assets on July 28, 2017.

Tenure: Four years and two months.

  • Imran Khan

Elected as prime minister on Aug. 18, 2018. Voted out of power via a no-confidence motion by the opposition on April 10, 2022.

Tenure: Three years and seven months.

  • Shehbaz Sharif

Elected as prime minister on April 12, 2022. Stepped down after completing term on August 12. 

Tenure: One year and four months.

With inputs from Reuters 

Topics: Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan seeks Beijing’s support for completion of 1,800MW hydropower projects

Updated 10 May 2024
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Pakistan seeks Beijing’s support for completion of 1,800MW hydropower projects

  • The Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower projects have reportedly been delayed for past several months
  • Beijing is investing more than $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of CPEC
Updated 10 May 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has sought Chinese support for early completion of two hydropower projects, Pakistani state media reported on Thursday, amid the minister’s visit to China.
The 1,124 megawatts (MW) Kohala and 700MW Azad Pattan hydropower projects have been delayed for the past several months, according to media reports.
In his meeting with National Energy Administration of China’s Chairman Zhang Jianghua, Iqbal said his government intended to diversify energy mix toward clean and renewable energy.
“In that context, Minister for Planning sought Chinese continued cooperation for the early implementation of the Azad Pattan and Kohala Hydro Power Projects,” the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
Beijing is investing over $65 billion in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major segment of Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, which will connect China to the Arabian Sea and help Islamabad expand and modernize its economy through a network of roads, railways, pipelines and ports in Pakistan.
During the meeting, the two sides also discussed new initiatives to improve energy management system, aimed at reducing theft and line losses, according to the report.
“We intend to reform energy sector to be efficient and affordable in order to provide electricity to consumers and businesses at cheaper rates by cutting line losses and power theft,” Iqbal was quoted as saying.
The meeting was part of Iqbal’s engagements in Beijing to prepare for the next round of Joint Coordination Committee meeting as well as for the preparation of an upcoming visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China.
Earlier, the minister met officials of top Chinese companies, including Power China, TBEA Co. Ltd., and Electric Power Planning and Engineering Institute, that specialize in power transmission and distribution.

Topics: Pakistan China Ties

Pakistan envoy urges Hajj pilgrims to demonstrate discipline during stay in Saudi Arabia

Updated 10 May 2024
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Pakistan envoy urges Hajj pilgrims to demonstrate discipline during stay in Saudi Arabia

  • Pakistan on Thursday launched its pre-Hajj flight operation which will continue till June 9
  • Ambassador Ahmed Farooq thanks Saudi Arabia for ‘best’ arrangements for Hajj pilgrims
Updated 10 May 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, on Friday urged Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to demonstrate discipline during their stay in Saudi Arabia and thanked the Kingdom for ensuring “best” arrangements for the devotees, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said.
The statement came amid Pakistan’s ongoing pre-Hajj flight operation to ferry pilgrims to the Kingdom for the annual pilgrimage. Several Hajj flights left Pakistan for the Kingdom on Thursday.
Ambassador Farooq and Pakistan’s Hajj Director-General Abdul Wahab Soomro warmly welcomed the Pakistani pilgrims upon arrival in the holy city of Madinah.
“Pilgrims should demonstrate best discipline to increase the prestige of the country,” the Pakistani religious affairs ministry quoted the ambassador as saying.
“We are grateful to the Saudi government for making the best arrangements for Hajj pilgrims.”
Soomro said the pre-Hajj flight operation was ongoing successfully and feedback about different facilities would be sought from pilgrims through the Pak Hajj app.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry. Of them, 63,805 pilgrims will be performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest would be accommodated by private tour operators.
This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties Hajj 2024 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims

Pakistan and Ireland go toe-to-toe in inaugural T20I series today

Updated 10 May 2024
Shahjahan Khurram 
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Pakistan and Ireland go toe-to-toe in inaugural T20I series today

  • Both Pakistan and Ireland are in the same group of the T20 World Cup
  • Mohammad Amir expected to be available for second and third T20Is
Updated 10 May 2024
Shahjahan Khurram 

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan cricket team will kick off its Europe tour today, Friday, with the first of three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) against Ireland at the Castle Avenue, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
This marks the first time Ireland will host Pakistan for a T20I series. The two sides have previously met only once in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2009 where Pakistan won by 39 runs with Kamran Akmal receiving the player of the match award for his 51-ball 57 and two stumpings.
Interestingly, both Pakistan and Ireland are in the same group for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and will face each other in Florida on June 16. Apart from the two sides, India, USA, and Canada are also in the same group, with the top two teams advancing to the second stage.
“Our preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 began with the home series against New Zealand and now it’s all about putting the final touches on those preparations. We have clarity on our game plans, strategies and combinations. It’s about bringing everything together before we arrive in the United States,” the PCB quoted Pakistan head coach Azhar Mahmood as saying.
“We’ve only played Ireland once, so they will be a relatively new opponent for us. However, any team in T20 cricket can be dangerous as the match can swing in one over. The three T20Is will provide us with good information about their players and how they approach T20 cricket.”
The remaining two matches will also take place at the same venue in Ireland on Sunday and Tuesday, before Pakistan head to Headingley, Leeds on Wednesday for a series of four T20Is against England.
Following the England series, with matches scheduled at Headingley (22 May), Birmingham (25 May), Cardiff (28 May), and The Oval, London (30 May), both England and Pakistan will head to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, according to the PCB.
England will face Scotland in Barbados on June 4 in their opening match, while Pakistan will launch their campaign against the United States (US) in Dallas on June 6.
Meanwhile, fast bowler Mohammad Amir will miss the first T20I due to delays in the issuance of his visa. He is expected to join the side on Friday.
Squads
Ireland: Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir (unavailable for first T20I), Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan

Topics: Pakistan vs Ireland Pakistan cricket

Saudi tech company partners with Pakistan’s ABHI to launch financial services in Kingdom

Updated 10 May 2024
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Saudi tech company partners with Pakistan’s ABHI to launch financial services in Kingdom

  • ABHI, which also serves customers in UAE, was selected as one of Gulf country’s Future 100 companies last year 
  • Saudi tech company says partnership to empower Kingdom’s citizens, embolden private sector and foster economic growth
Updated 10 May 2024
KHURSHID AHMED   

KARACHI: Alraedah Digital Solutions, a leading Saudi technology company, announced on Thursday it was entering into a strategic partnership with Pakistani fintech ABHI to launch “innovative” financial services in the Kingdom. 
Alraedah Digital Solutions, the digital arm of Alraedah Digital Group, focuses on innovation and digital transformation to empower businesses and individuals through cutting-edge solutions in finance and technology. 
ABHI is a Pakistani fintech company that provides innovative finance solutions to businesses and their employees. Last year, it was selected as one of the Future 100 companies of the United Arab Emirates. 
Founded in 2021, ABHI has been serving customers in Pakistan, UAE, and Bangladesh through its credit-bridging products. These include Earned Wage Access, Invoice Factoring, SME Working Capital & Revenue Based Financing, and Payroll Solutions. 
“Under the terms of the agreement, Alraedah will leverage ABHI’s robust capabilities to launch a set of innovative financial services in KSA,” the Saudi company said in a press release. 
The statement said as per the terms of the agreement, ABHI will gain access to Alraedah’s knowledge and understanding of the local Saudi market. This would enable it to collaboratively launch innovative financing products in Saudi Arabia.
“Alraedah will enable access to $200 million over the course of three years to develop products that apply ABHI’s proprietary technology, localized for the Saudi market,” the press release said. 
The Pakistani fintech says it has a client base of over 1,000 esteemed companies and actively promotes financial empowerment and provides stability to over 750,000 employees across the region.
“With our innovative financial solutions and Alraedah’s deep local expertise, we are poised to empower Saudi citizens, embolden the private sector, and foster a more vibrant, thriving economy,” Omair Ansari, co-founder and CEO of ABHI, was quoted as saying. 
Paul Melotto, CEO of Alraedah Digital Solutions, said both companies aim to redefine access to financial services and empower individuals and businesses across the region.
“Together, we aim to redefine access to financial services and empower individuals and businesses across the region,” he said.

Topics: Abhi

Suspected militants bomb school for girls in northwestern Pakistan

Updated 09 May 2024
AP
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Suspected militants bomb school for girls in northwestern Pakistan

  • No one harmed as militants blow up girls school in North Waziristan district, say police
  • Pakistan witnessed attacks on girls’ schools until 2019 by militants opposed to female education
Updated 09 May 2024
AP

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan: Militants detonated a bomb at a girls school in a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban in the country’s volatile northwest, badly damaging the structure, police said Thursday. No one was harmed in the overnight attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack late Wednesday that targeted the only girls school in Shawa, a town in the North Waziristan district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, local police chief Amjad Wazir said.

UNICEF condemned the bombing as “despicable and cowardly act that could jeopardize the future of many young and talented girls.”

According to the police chief, the attackers first beat up the school guard before setting off the explosives at the private Aafia Islamic Girls Model School, which has 150 students.

Suspicion is likely to fall on Islamic militants and specifically the Pakistani Taliban, who have targeted girls schools in the province in the past, saying that women should not be educated.

In a statement, Abdullah Fadil, the UNICEF representative in Pakistan, said the “destruction of a girls’ school in a remote and underserved area is a heinous crime detrimental to national progress.” He cited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif statement on Wednesday declaring an education emergency and pledging to work toward enrolling 26 million out-of-school children.

Pakistan witnessed multiple attacks on girls schools until 2019, especially in the Swat Valley and elsewhere in the northwest where the Pakistani Taliban long controlled the former tribal regions. In 2012, the insurgents attacked Malala Yousafzai, a teenage student and advocate for the education of girls who went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP, were evicted from Swat and other regions in recent years. The TTP are a separate group but a close ally of the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.

The Taliban takeover in neighboring Afghanistan has emboldened the Pakistani Taliban.

Topics: girls school Pakistan Aafia Islamic Girls Model School

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