Sharif(s) (Which one? perhaps both) have surprised many, that's for certain.
What OP isn't discussing is that the efforts undertaken to portray a soft image of Pakistan abroad - to talk about settling issues in compliance with acceptable international standards (Kashmir), to working towards the betterment of women and minorities (even if seemingly cosmetic, it shows political will at the top to at least get things done - what has been missing since forever in PAK politics), inviting the Pope, etc.
The Rahat Fateh concert at the UN to commemorate Pakistan's National Day, and Ban Ki Moon's speech about Pakistan's contribution to humanism via its historical Sufi roots, poetry and Bulleh Shah - that shows the diplomatic attaches have been hard at work in improving the "image" so many people worry about. It's a definite way forward, and something everyone needs to own and commend.
[[And not justify the maveric-boy-cum-dharna-master saying he'll welcome the Chinese premier atop his container with that psycho Qadri and Sheeda Lal]].
Yet again, as typical as it is for the Sharifs, investment in human capital remains absent. Nothing substantial done on the education and health sectors. Nor the water crisis. Heavy spending on flashy projects that look good, in absolute terms, are good too - but not at the cost of other things. Old habits die hard, I guess - but that's for the people to decide in the next elections.
Here's what some people need to remember: we are in the midst of a war, and politically, we almost started with nothing. Democracy is a process, not an outcome - and this very notion makes it's continuity crucial. What we've seen so far is that Sharif has moved on a bit from the 90s style of politics, but there's a lot more that needs to be done too. We need to have faith in the process and try not to undermine it every time someone doesn't listen to us.
Deny it all you want, but IK on the long-term political front has done nothing to support democracy. He has shown his disdain about political institutions, he is a proponent for mob-mentality-induced street politics, he has no care for symbolic state institutions and most, most importantly - he has shown ZERO political acumen - allying with the likes of Qadri, Fazlu and CII to maintain support. That isn't progressive, that's insane. But sure let's ignore that because dharna and halkay and mandate and more dharnay yay.
, his family and PML-N 
.
How can someone say that PML N is doing an excellent job? They certainly are doing an excellent job at buying apartments/houses in UK. 
