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
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.
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THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE FOR PAKISTAN, if they dont perform well, there will be no PAKISTAN for the next elections.
I was an ardent supporter of Imran Khan, but do not see anything wrong with MNS. MNS is a choice far better than all those who ruled and messed our beloved country in the last 5 years.
@inam: Albatross is the name of a bird. Also' the word 'albatross' is sometimes used metaphorically to mean a psychological burden that feels like a curse. It is an allusion to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
@Inam:
Yes it is a bird but google albatross and find the following:
The word 'albatross' is sometimes used metaphorically to mean a psychological burden that feels like a curse. It is an allusion to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798).
In the poem, an albatross starts to follow a ship — being followed by an albatross was generally considered an omen of good luck. However, the titular mariner shoots the albatross with a crossbow, which is regarded as an act that will curse the ship (which indeed suffers terrible mishaps). To punish him, his companions induce him to wear the dead albatross around his neck indefinitely (until they all die from the curse, as it happens). Thus the albatross can be both an omen of good or bad luck, as well as a metaphor for a burden to be carried (as penance).
If Nawaz Sharif doesn't perform,Imran Khan is there to take his place in the next elections,simple as that.Though I'm really hoping PML(N) brings reforms for the betterment of our country,we really need to get out of the economic crisis left by the PPP government.
The more things change the more they remain the same. Pakistanis needs to seize the moment and energy generated by the recent elections and stage an Egypt style uprising, else nothing will change. The army needs to side with the civilians and not against them by installing another dictator in government.
When the election process has been so corrupt and stilted, how can we expect the government to be any better? The Election Comission is just as shameless and hopelessly incompetent as the politicians it puts in power. What business did the candidates have in visiting the polling stations, and moreover why were they even permitted to do so?
It's funny how grand this article makes Sharif to be. The so called privatization will only translate to nepotism and favours granted to relatives, and by deregulation I am sure you mean that the government will be too busy pocketing illicit money to care about how the industries are (not) operating. Please don't dignify Sharif by talking about him as a leader with an actual vision or genuine policies.
Now Nawaz had to work for country instead of them selves otherwise IK is their to do so
I wonder how ECP and SC allowed him to contest polls? He attacked SC and does not meet article 62/63.
This time the people of pakistan will see to it that Nawaz Sharif and his party do not abuse power by favouring sycophants with lucrative posts. Nawaz Sharif should also see that he being in the good books of india and western countries, he wouldn't compromise on country's national interests, especially kashmir, pakistan-iran gas pipeline, gwadur port. Contrary to his electoral speeches, pakistan doesn't have any reservation whatsoever on these national issues.
Any hope for Better Pakistan is Gone. Same Old People with same Old Ideology are back in Power. I remember same people were dancing on the street when PPPP won the last election. And year latter same people were Protesting on same Streets about Electric/Gas/Job shortages and Security situation in Pakistan. Bank Loan Scandal, Land Grabbing, High rebate's on Import from India, Sugar Scandal etc,etc are the future so brace yourself for the wild ride. Please Never Forget who did you Vote for, Before you start burning Tires on the same streets a year from Now. Long Live Pakistan.
Waiting for my bullet train.
".....Albatross around his neck.."...I think Albatross is a bird.
Five more years of missery khuda kher and may god give some sense to punjabis.
These election results were already foretold by Economist in its last month issue and back in March.
This is obvoius that so called fair elections are not so fair. Same corrupt people with their turns are back on the seats.
I fear this government will be the likes of Egypt's democracy, or Tunisia or Libya's cases where the master stayed back and their hired servants screwed the country.
In any case paid employees of Pakistan are again running the show and let us see if they will push the country to the brink of destruction or they will have guts to do justice and stand up against their false gods.
Allah bless Nawaz Sharif. Peopel have rejected Imran Khan's Tsunami. It has been proved that Imran was doing baseless criticism against Nawaz Sharif.
Allah bless Nawaz Sharif. Peopel have rejected Imran Khan's Tsunami. It has been proved that Imran was doing baseless criticism against Nawaz Sharif.
Nawaz only cares about Lahore. Not Pakistan. He doesn't go outside Lahore to check other cities problems.
I guess its time to leave the country. Escape before he closes all the bank during tough times because of his failure like he did in the last presidency.
Nawaz Sharif is no 'Reformer'.He believes in one man show and is more of a dictator.One would see it happening soon in Centre' and in the Punjab.Bitter and bad days for media, governance and economy ahead.
Nawaz Sharif you better make Pakistan a great nation or I bet all Pakistanis will grab your throat!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Con gratulations for PML-N for this win. Let us join our heads to take Pakistan out thee troubles. We must shun our election time loud slogans of hatred and opposition for the sake opposition. Pakistan needs a caring attitude from her sons (Pakistanis).
I have been writing to Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif during his last tenure and have suggested number of reforms to him.
I am grateful that he had issued advises to proper quarters for doing necessary reforms in the country.
I am once again ready to assist him to take out Pakistan from the total mess for the sake of making the life of a common man of Pakistan much easier.