Nawaz Sharif: The reformer
Nawaz will have fewer excuses for failure on key policy issues such as the economy and terrorism.
Former Pakistani prime minister and head of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif (L) meets party supporters at his residence in Lahore on May 12, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, who advocates free-market economics, is likely to pursue privatisation and deregulation to revive flagging growth.
He has said Pakistan should stand on its own two feet but may need to seek a another bailout from the International Monetary Fund to avoid a balance of payments crisis.
The PML-N leader has said he could do business with the IMF, meaning he may be open to reforms like an easing of subsidies and a widening of Pakistan's tiny tax base to secure billions of dollars from the global lender.
But his main job will be to ease widespread discontent over endemic corruption, chronic power cuts and crumbling infrastructure. He has described Pakistan as a "mess" and said the key to moving forward is speedy growth.
"A better-than-expected result for Nawaz could prove to be an albatross around his neck," said Muhammad Malick, a popular current affairs broadcaster.
"With an overwhelming majority of seats and without needing the crutch of coalition partners to form government, he will have fewer excuses for failure on key policy issues such as the economy and terrorism."
Terrorism
Sharif will likely press for negotiation with the Pakistan wing of the Taliban, whose bombing attacks failed to derail the election, but he could run into resistance from the military which has lost thousands of soldiers fighting the insurgency.
Despite Pakistan's history of coups, the army stayed out of politics during the five years of the last government and threw its support behind the election.
However, some fear the military could step back in were there a repeat of the incompetence and corruption that frustrated many Pakistanis during the last government's rule.
Pak-India ties
Sharif, who was toppled in a 1999 bloodless coup by former army chief Pervez Musharraf, may take steps to improve ties with Pakistan's arch-enemy, India.
Efforts to boost trade between the neighbours have stalled due to suspicion on both sides.
PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, who advocates free-market economics, is likely to pursue privatisation and deregulation to revive flagging growth.
He has said Pakistan should stand on its own two feet but may need to seek a another bailout from the International Monetary Fund to avoid a balance of payments crisis.
The PML-N leader has said he could do business with the IMF, meaning he may be open to reforms like an easing of subsidies and a widening of Pakistan's tiny tax base to secure billions of dollars from the global lender.
But his main job will be to ease widespread discontent over endemic corruption, chronic power cuts and crumbling infrastructure. He has described Pakistan as a "mess" and said the key to moving forward is speedy growth.
"A better-than-expected result for Nawaz could prove to be an albatross around his neck," said Muhammad Malick, a popular current affairs broadcaster.
"With an overwhelming majority of seats and without needing the crutch of coalition partners to form government, he will have fewer excuses for failure on key policy issues such as the economy and terrorism."
Terrorism
Sharif will likely press for negotiation with the Pakistan wing of the Taliban, whose bombing attacks failed to derail the election, but he could run into resistance from the military which has lost thousands of soldiers fighting the insurgency.
Despite Pakistan's history of coups, the army stayed out of politics during the five years of the last government and threw its support behind the election.
However, some fear the military could step back in were there a repeat of the incompetence and corruption that frustrated many Pakistanis during the last government's rule.
Pak-India ties
Sharif, who was toppled in a 1999 bloodless coup by former army chief Pervez Musharraf, may take steps to improve ties with Pakistan's arch-enemy, India.
Efforts to boost trade between the neighbours have stalled due to suspicion on both sides.