Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif (born 23 September 1951) is a Pakistani politician and businessman who is currently serving as the 20th Prime Minister of Pakistan, having assumed office for a second term on 4 March 2024. He previously held the post from April 2022 to August 2023. A senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N), Shehbaz has also served as its president and was the Chief Minister of Punjab for a record three terms, making him the longest-serving individual in that role.
Infobox: Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
| Full Name | Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 23 September 1951 |
| Place of Birth | Lahore, West Punjab, Dominion of Pakistan |
| Political Party | Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) |
| Current Position | Prime Minister of Pakistan (since March 2024) |
| Previous Terms | Prime Minister (2022–2023), Chief Minister of Punjab (1997–1999, 2008–2013, 2013–2018) |
| President of PML-N | 2018–2024, 2009–2011 |
| Education | Government College University, Lahore (BA) |
| Languages Spoken | Urdu, Punjabi, English, Arabic, German, Sindhi |
| Occupation | Politician, Businessman |
| Spouses | Nusrat Shehbaz, Aaliya Honey (div.), Tehmina Durrani |
| Children | 4 (including Hamza Shahbaz) |
| Residence | Raiwind Palace, Lahore |
| Known For | Administrative efficiency, “Shehbaz Speed”, infrastructure projects |
| Awards/Recognitions | Featured in The Muslim 500 (2025) |
Early Life and Education
Born in Lahore on 23 September 1951, Shehbaz Sharif comes from a politically and economically influential Punjabi family with ancestral roots in Kashmir and Amritsar. His father, Mian Muhammad Sharif, was a successful industrialist who migrated to Pakistan during the Partition and established the Ittefaq Group, a major steel conglomerate in South Asia. Shehbaz is the younger brother of Nawaz Sharif, who served three terms as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, making the Sharif family one of the most prominent dynasties in the country’s political landscape.
Shehbaz received his early education at St. Anthony’s High School in Lahore and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Government College University, Lahore, one of Pakistan’s most prestigious academic institutions. Known for his discipline and business acumen, he joined the family business shortly after graduation, playing a key role in expanding the Ittefaq Group’s operations. His leadership and organizational capabilities led to his election as president of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1985, marking his early foray into public service and laying the foundation for his political career.
Political Career
Shehbaz entered politics in 1988, winning a seat in the Punjab Assembly as a candidate of the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI). His early political success was attributed to his family’s industrial influence and growing prominence in Lahore’s political scene. In the 1990 general elections, he was elected to the National Assembly from NA-96 (Lahore-V) and simultaneously re-elected to the Punjab Assembly. Choosing to retain his seat in the National Assembly, Shehbaz solidified his status as a rising political figure. In 1993, he once again returned to the Punjab Assembly and was appointed Leader of the Opposition, during which he played a crucial role in formulating PML-N’s policies in the province.
In 1997, Shehbaz began his first term as Chief Minister of Punjab after the PML-N’s sweeping victory. His administration prioritized economic revitalization, education reform, agricultural modernization, and strict governance. Major projects during this time included the development of healthcare facilities and enhancement of road infrastructure, especially in urban centers like Lahore. However, his tenure was interrupted by the military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf in October 1999. Shehbaz, along with other members of the Sharif family, was imprisoned and later exiled to Saudi Arabia under a deal brokered by the Saudi royal family.
After nearly a decade in exile, Shehbaz returned to Pakistan in 2007, resuming political activities with renewed public support. In the 2008 general elections, he led the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) to a strong performance in Punjab and was re-elected Chief Minister. His governance model emphasized urban development, law and order, and modernization of transport systems, such as the Metro Bus Service in Lahore. Re-elected for a third term in 2013, he spearheaded infrastructure megaprojects, expanded education initiatives, and attracted significant Chinese investment under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). His rapid administrative execution of these projects earned him the nickname “Shehbaz Speed” from Chinese officials, symbolizing his results-driven leadership style.
National Leadership
After Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification in 2017 following the Panama Papers verdict, Shehbaz Sharif was appointed president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and became its prime ministerial candidate for the 2018 general elections. Despite a vigorous campaign, the party was unable to secure a majority, and Shehbaz lost the premiership to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan. Nonetheless, he was elected to the National Assembly and served as Leader of the Opposition from August 2018 to April 2022. During this period, Shehbaz played a pivotal role in uniting opposition parties against Khan’s government, particularly through the formation of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).
In April 2022, Shehbaz was elected Prime Minister of Pakistan following the success of a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. His first term was defined by efforts to revive the economy, negotiate a bailout with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and manage relations with global powers including the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia. Domestically, his government faced criticism over rising inflation and currency devaluation, but also received praise for restoring a semblance of political stability.
After the 2024 general election, the PML-N emerged as the largest party without a clear majority. Shehbaz successfully formed a coalition government with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and other smaller allies, and was re-elected Prime Minister on 4 March 2024. His second term focused on regional diplomacy, especially through hosting the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Islamabad, where he advocated for enhanced trade and security cooperation among member states. However, his administration also faced backlash for introducing restrictive internet regulations, maintaining a ban on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), and pursuing constitutional amendments that opposition parties alleged were passed under coercive circumstances.
Legal Challenges
Throughout his career, Shehbaz has faced a number of legal challenges and investigations, many of which were perceived as politically motivated. One of the most prominent cases involved allegations of money laundering and misuse of public funds. In September 2020, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Shehbaz on charges of laundering over Rs. 7 billion through front companies operated by family members and close associates. The investigation accused him of acquiring assets beyond known sources of income and using foreign remittances to mask the funds’ origins. He was held in custody for several months but granted bail by the Lahore High Court in April 2021. On 12 October 2022, a Special Court (Central) in Lahore acquitted Shehbaz and his son, stating the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence, and the charges were politically driven.
In another high-profile case, Shehbaz Sharif successfully sued the Daily Mail newspaper in the United Kingdom. In a July 2019 article, the publication accused him of embezzling British taxpayer funds provided as aid for earthquake relief in Pakistan. The report, written by journalist David Rose, alleged that Shehbaz had funneled money through his family’s accounts in the UK. Shehbaz denied the accusations and filed a defamation suit in the Royal Courts of Justice in London. After a lengthy legal battle, the Daily Mail retracted the article in December 2022, issued a formal apology, and agreed to remove the defamatory content from all platforms. The case was settled under a Tomlin Order, with both parties agreeing not to pursue further legal action. The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) also clarified that it had found no evidence of aid misuse during internal audits, reinforcing Shehbaz’s claim of innocence.
Personal Life
Shehbaz has been married three times. His first marriage was to Nusrat Shehbaz in 1973, with whom he has four children: Salman, Hamza, and twin daughters Javeria and Rabia. Hamza Shehbaz is an active politician and has served as the Chief Minister of Punjab. Shehbaz’s second marriage was to Aaliya Honey in 1993, which ended in divorce within a year. In 2003, he married his third wife, author and social activist Tehmina Durrani, who is also known for her influential book My Feudal Lord. Tehmina has remained a prominent figure in Shehbaz’s public life.
Shehbaz resides in the family estate at Raiwind Palace on the outskirts of Lahore, a sprawling property that also houses other members of the Sharif family. Known for his disciplined lifestyle and punctuality, he maintains a strong work ethic and is widely respected for his hands-on administrative approach. He is multilingual, fluent in Urdu, Punjabi, and English, and has a working knowledge of Arabic, German, and Sindhi, which has aided his communication in diplomatic and political engagements both nationally and internationally.
Public Image
Shehbaz is recognized for his energetic leadership, pragmatic governance, and commitment to public service. Known for his punctuality, hands-on management style, and focus on infrastructure, he often conducted surprise visits to government offices, hospitals, and schools during his tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab. His administration earned praise for launching large-scale projects such as the Lahore Metro Bus, Orange Line Metro Train, and various health and education reforms aimed at improving public service delivery. International observers, including Chinese officials involved in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), coined the term “Shehbaz Speed” to commend his swift execution of development projects.
His leadership style, though occasionally criticized as autocratic or overly centralized, has consistently been lauded for efficiency and visible results. In recognition of his influence, development-driven politics, and strategic importance in South Asian governance, Shehbaz Sharif was included in The Muslim 500 in 2025, an annual publication profiling the world’s 500 most influential Muslims, published by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Jordan.
