ABSTRACT
On 5 June 2013, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif was sworn in as Pakistan’s prime minister for a third term. Sharif was elected as the country’s 18th prime minister. His party won the election by securing 244 seats with his rivals Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) securing 42 and 31 seats, respectively. 1 Addressing the National Assembly after being elected, Prime Minister Sharif proposed a common agenda with political allies and foes to ward off a number of problems facing the country including militancy. 2 However, Sharif could do little about sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni extremists that has plagued the country. In just one month of the new government, more than 160 people were killed due to sectarian violence. Militant activities by other extremist groups also continued on large-scale impacting the shape of politics in Pakistan. The danger emanating from militancy within the country was well recognised by the government and the army. According to Green Book published by the army on a regular basis to review its operational preparedness and professional capabilities, India is no longer Pakistan’s enemy No.1, but the problem emanates from Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other terrorists groups active in Pakistan. 3
