In May 1998, Pakistan conducted nuclear tests within a week of similar tests by India. Sharif took credit for leading Pakistan into the “nuclear club,” and the government encouraged hyper- nationalist sentiment over Pakistan’s emergence as the world’s only Islamic nuclear power. International sanctions following the nuclear tests created serious economic challenges. But the government decided to distract the public with doses of propaganda about economic hardship being a small price to pay for the glory of Islam and Pakistan. By August, Sharif was ready to amend Pakistan’s constitution “to create an Islamic order in Pakistan and establish a legal system based on the Quran.”
The country’s opposition, led by Benazir Bhutto, pointed out that further Islamization “would deepen strife in a country where religiously motivated violence has killed hundreds of people.” But Sharif insisted that his proposed new order would create a “true Islamic welfare state.” He said all laws would be based exclusively on the Quran and Sunnah. “Simple changes in laws are not enough,” he said in a televised address to the nation. “I want to implement complete Islamic laws where the Quran and Sunnah are supreme.” Under the amendment, the federal government would be “obliged” to enforce prayers five times a day and collect annual tithes as zakat.
This attempt at sweeping Islamization was similar to that undertaken by General Zia- ul- Haq, with one crucial difference. While Zia was a military dictator who lacked legitimacy, Sharif was an elected leader who was trying to move Pakistan further along the path toward theocracy through an act of Parliament. Like Zia, Sharif sought to assure minorities and women that the new Islamic laws would not violate their rights. But human rights advocates accused Sharif of using Islam to buttress his power at a time when he seemed globally isolated and embattled at home. “In the name of Islam, Nawaz Sharif is trying to perpetuate a fascist rule,” warned Asma Jahangir, a prominent human rights activist and lawyer. She also warned that militant Muslims will use the new law to impose their brand of Islam on the populace.
Sharif, however, was unmoved by the criticism. He declared at one point that he admired the Taliban and wanted the introduction of swift Islamic justice in Pakistan, including the hanging of rapists within twenty- four hours of being arrested. He said his “goal was a system of justice like that followed by the Taliban movement in Afghanistan,” which would “rid the country of crime and corruption.” Sharif told a public meeting that “in Afghanistan, crimes have virtually come to naught. I have heard that one can safely drive a vehicle full of gold at midnight without fear.” He added that he wanted the same kind of system in Pakistan where “justice will end oppression and bring prosperity.”
