ISAS Briefs

Mian Nawaz Sharif was swept into power in May 2013 on a mandate that contained a slew of promises. These included addressing in all seriousness the problems of terrorism, economy, energy and relations with key relevant powers. It was no surprise that Nawaz, and his Pakistan Muslim League (PML) should have won the polls in a canter because of the rampant corruption and woeful mismanagement of governance during the preceding rule of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The fact that the transition was peaceful, democratic and smooth – the first-time-ever a civilian government transferring power to another – signalled the dawning of a new and positive era in Pakistan’s politics.