Mian Muhammad Nawaz sharif was born on Dec. 25, 1949 in Lahore. His father Mian Muhammad Sharif was a well-known businessman and industrialist.
His political career began in 1981, when he became the finance minister in northeastern Punjab province and then chief minister of the province in 1985.
Sharif completed several projects in Punjab during his tenure as chief minister and built a reputation as a good administrator.
He was elected as prime minister for the first time in November 1990 and remained in office until July 1993. His government was ousted by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan when he dissolved the National Assembly.
Sharif was elected prime minister in February 1997 and remained in office until October 1999. During his second term, Pakistan responded to Indian nuclear tests and became the first Muslim nuclear power in the world.
Gen. Pervez Musharraf toppled the government in bloodless coup in October 1999 and Sharif was arrested and exiled to Saudi Arabia.
He returned to Pakistan in November 2007 and took charge as head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. However, the party did not participate in the 2008 election.
In 2013, Sharif's party won and he became prime minister for the third time.
The multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project and successful military operations against terrorism are considered his greatest achievements in his third tenure.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan disqualified Sharif for life from public office over the Panama Papers scandal, declaring him guilty of financial irregularities, misuse of authority and concealment of assets.
He resigned shortly after the court ruling.