“If I take you back to the Nineties, our party came up with very bold reforms in the country, economic reforms. They were really revolutionary reforms.”
During his first premiership between 1990 and 1993, Mr Sharif privatised Pakistan’s banks, insurance companies and key industries. In his mind, he brought the free market not only to his homeland, but to India as well.
“India was taken aback, frankly. India felt that India must also have same reforms in India as Pakistan,” he says.
“There was tremendous pressure on the Indian government, I know, that India should also copy the reforms that Pakistan has introduced.”
So you are not a new man — you are the same Nawaz Sharif who ran Pakistan in the Nineties? “I am the same politician who’s trying to pick up the threads of where I left off,” he replies.
And you offer continuity not change? “You can call it continuity; you can call it change that still continues and we are now going to make sure that we take it to its logical conclusion.”
You are carrying on the good work that you did in the Nineties? “That was my humble contribution and I will continue to make that humble contribution. We hope that work will also start soon, that we will have a motorway from the northern regions of Pakistan right down to Karachi.”
Pakistanis who have less than fond memories of Mr Sharif’s premierships might recall how he failed to complete a full term (his first stint ended when the president sacked him for alleged corruption). They might marvel at the chutzpah of leader who simply offers more of the same.
But, regardless of the baggage he carries, Mr Sharif has the opportunity presented by a clear election victory. What will be his most important economic reform? Mr Sharif replies that when David Cameron rang with his congratulations, he named his “first three priorities” as “number one economy, number two economy, number three economy”.
Did he not rob the nation dry?
He gave up Kashmir, with Srinagar in our sight.
He did nothing for the nation.
He comes back on a leash with vested business interests in India. He is not a stateman for Pakistanis but a statesman for the Americans and Indians. He represents American and Indian long term interests, this is not friendship this is bending over for India without India resolving ALL outstanding issue with kashmir as the core.
Musharraf did much wrong:
But he made Pakistan safer.
He reduce Pakistani debt.
He incresed Pakistani GDP.
He made Pakistan stronger.
He has been the closest General to liberating Kashmir.
He did make a pact with USA after 911 but no more than Zardari and Shareef. He was oblivious to the American pervasive nature and tentacles of terror and espionage let loose and to be fair how could he know. neither did Zardari do anything to remvoe American pervasive policies but it was ISI and Pakistan Army that changed this.
Today American is abck in to destabilise Pakistan through Shareef.
Shareef is incapable of governance but master of deceit.
Shareef is a coward and a sham to all punjabis and kashmiris.
Shareef is an utter pillock..
Another 9 civilians die in Azad Kashmir and a woman murdered by Indian blatant targeting of civilians.
Friendship with who?
Latton kay boot baatein say nehin maantay.
History has shown us in 65 years that the Banya nation has only talked peace when it sees Pakistani in a strategic place or assertive.
Pakistan should dismiss any calls for freindship with India and focus on stabilising the nation and borders and provide complete support to Kashmir and WARN India that the continued ceasefire violation from India will result Pakistan full retalliation and we should use China also to give them “the Sino-Pak pinch” – a taste of what it would feel if it became a squeeze.
continued opression of Kashmiris need to be countered with tough talk that Pakistan has the right to cross into Kashmir to assist the Kashmiris as this is a UN ceasefire line of LoC based on India honouring UN resolutions and desisting in it’s persecution of Kashmir.
Why you people mostly concerned about internal matter of India ? Kashmir and even Pok is integral part of India. First of all make your house in order, more Muslim are dying in terrorist attack in Pakistan than India. If you ask to any Muslim they will prefer India than Pak. Considering attack on India. You already tested your power and suffer heavy defeat twice and giving birth to Bangladesh. If you attack again your pakistan will turn into many nation. China is using you to counter India but China will never attack on India considering there economic servile on India. China is not a foolish nation like you. They have more enemy than India and even India have that much guts to defend there sovereignty. Good relation with India is essential for development of Pakistan.
If you can take your new prime minister at his word then he sounds like an experienced individual who has a plan to bring Pakistan forward. He must also know how to deal best with extremists who have plagued your country since its inception.
C’mon mate…. after all this time of this forum…. Do you REALLY think all these “peace loving” Pakis actually want or even understand the concept of peace, negotiations, growth, live and let live etc?
These guys don’t. No wonder they think anyone talking peace with India is doing something wrong. All giggles.
Eddied – you ar enot familiar with Pakistan are you?
Where were extremists inside Pakistan between 1967 – 1999.
There wer none, zero.
The extremist were placed, manufactured to destabilise Pakistan from within in 2001 – 2007 led by the foreign terror group non Pakistani TTP funded and supported by outsiders.
Prior to 1999 where were the extremist?
You are grossly exaggerating your claims or genuinely unfamiliar with the history of Pakistan.
Where were the extremists?…you tell me?…the salafists and the deobrandi were there at that time..why were they not killing kafirs and apostates then?…why were the Sunnis not killing the Shias at that time?…what changed in Pakistanan to make it so intolerant of other ideas?…and please don’t try and tell me the west had anything to do with this intolerance…the west has always believd in tolerance for different religions and beliefs…what changed in Pakistan? Or maybe nothing changed and the killing was happening but no one knew about it?…you tell me?…
Apologies it should read 1947 to 1999.