1. Early Life and Background
Mian Muhammad Sharif's early life was rooted in a trading family background, setting the stage for his future in business, which began with modest ventures before developing into a large industrial conglomerate.
1.1. Birth and Family
Born on November 18, 1919, in Jati Umra, a town near Amritsar, Mian Muhammad Sharif belonged to a Punjabi-speaking Kashmiri trading family. His ancestors had migrated from Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir. His father was Mian Mohammad Baksh. He was one of seven brothers, who included Muhammad Shafi, Abdul Aziz, Barkat Ali, Miraj u Deen, Muhammad Bashir, and Siraj u Deen.
1.2. Education and Early Ventures
Sharif received his early education in Eastern Punjab. Around 1936, his family relocated to Lahore in pursuit of better economic prospects, where he continued his studies at DAV College. In 1939, he ventured into business by establishing a small steel foundry, financed by the sale of his agricultural land. This initial steel factory in Lahore was a collaborative effort with a Hindu businessman, and Sharif later acknowledged this partnership as a fundamental source of his business knowledge and success.
2. Business Career
Mian Muhammad Sharif's career was marked by the establishment and expansion of significant industrial enterprises, navigating periods of economic growth and challenging government interventions.
2.1. Founding and Growth of Ittefaq and Sharif Groups
Sharif was instrumental in the establishment of two major industrial entities: he was the co-founder of the Ittefaq Group and the sole founder of the Sharif Group. Under his leadership, these businesses flourished, expanding to become one of the largest industrial operations in Punjab, ranking second only to BECO Engineering in scale and influence.
2.2. Nationalization and International Expansion
A significant turning point in Sharif's business career occurred in 1973 when the government of Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto implemented policies of nationalization, seizing control of his factories within Pakistan. This forced a strategic shift in his business operations. In response, Sharif embarked on international expansion, notably establishing a steel mill in Dubai, marking a new phase of global engagement for his enterprises.
2.3. Philanthropy and Social Contributions
Beyond his commercial endeavors, Mian Muhammad Sharif also dedicated efforts to philanthropy and social welfare. He initiated and developed the Sharif Medical City project. Located in Raiwind, within Allama Iqbal Town, Lahore, this institution serves as a notable welfare initiative providing essential medical and educational facilities to the community.
3. Personal Life
Mian Muhammad Sharif was married to Shamim Akhtar. Together, they had three sons: Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and Abbas Sharif. All three of his sons eventually became involved in politics, with Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif achieving the distinguished position of Prime Minister of Pakistan.
4. Exile and Death
Mian Muhammad Sharif's later years were marked by political upheaval that deeply affected his family. In 2000, under the military administration of then Chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf, Mian Muhammad Sharif and his entire family were compelled to go into exile in Saudi Arabia. He had a long history of heart ailments, suffering from chronic heart failure. He had undergone angioplasty procedures twice, and his first heart bypass surgery was performed in 1982. Mian Muhammad Sharif died from a cardiac arrest in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on October 19, 2004, at the age of 84. His funeral prayer was conducted at Masjid al-Haram in Mecca on October 30, 2004. Following the religious rites, he was interred in Raiwind, Allama Iqbal Town, Lahore.
5. Legacy and Influence
Mian Muhammad Sharif's legacy extends beyond his business achievements, encompassing significant political and social impacts, although not without scrutiny.
5.1. Political Influence
Mian Muhammad Sharif's most profound and lasting influence on Pakistan's landscape is arguably through the political careers of his sons, particularly Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif. His establishment of a formidable business empire provided the economic power and public recognition that significantly facilitated their entry and rise in the country's political arena. This foundation enabled his son, Nawaz Sharif, to become the founder chairman of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N), a major political party, and both sons to serve multiple terms as Prime Minister of Pakistan, thus intertwining the family's business might with national governance.
5.2. Business and Social Legacy
Mian Muhammad Sharif's entrepreneurial drive led to the successful establishment and expansion of the Ittefaq Group and Sharif Group. These industrial conglomerates made substantial contributions to Pakistan's economic development, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Beyond his direct business activities, his commitment to social welfare is evident in the establishment of philanthropic initiatives like the Sharif Medical City. This institution continues to provide essential healthcare and educational services, serving as a tangible social contribution to the community.
5.3. Criticism and Controversies
While public records do not extensively detail direct criticisms of Mian Muhammad Sharif's personal actions, his business empire faced significant challenges, notably the nationalization policies enforced by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's government in 1973. This event, a controversial governmental intervention in private enterprise, profoundly impacted his domestic operations and necessitated his strategic shift toward international expansion. Furthermore, the immense wealth accumulated through his business ventures and the subsequent political ascendancy of his sons have brought the Sharif family under considerable public scrutiny regarding their assets and influence. The family's forced exile in 2000 by Pervez Musharraf serves as a prominent example of the political upheavals and power struggles that have historically affected powerful business and political dynasties in Pakistan. These events form a complex part of the broader narrative surrounding the family's legacy.