1997 Storming of the Supreme Court of Pakistan

This article is part of a series about Nawaz Sharif
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On November 28, 1997, the Supreme Court of Pakistan was stormed by supporters of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who intended to disrupt a contempt of court hearing against him.^[1][2][3]

The assailants, largely from the youth wing of the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and allegedly led by some of Sharif's legislative allies, caused the hearing to be adjourned.^[4]

In reaction to this incident, the then Chief Justice of Pakistan, Syed Sajjad Ali Shah, requested military support to secure the judiciary, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.^[4] The confrontation was part of a larger feud between Shah and Sharif, particularly concerning judicial appointments and Shah’s annulment of a constitutional amendment that had previously barred lawmakers from defying party directives.^[4]

The tension between Syed Sajjad Ali Shah and Nawaz Sharif had been intensifying since Sharif's reinstatement in February 1997.^[5] The situation worsened in August when Shah suggested promoting five judges to the Supreme Court, a proposition resisted by Sharif who disapproved of two nominees.^[5] In a countermove, Sharif tried to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges through an ordinance, which he later retracted following opposition from the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan.^[5] In retaliation, Shah initiated corruption proceedings against Sharif and filed contempt charges for his criticisms of the suspension of the anti-defection law, setting the stage for an unprecedented trial of a sitting prime minister.^[5]

The friction between the judiciary and the executive culminated in December when Shah attempted to reinforce judicial authority by overturning the 13th Amendment and holding Sharif in contempt.^[5] The action met opposition from a rival faction within the judiciary, leading to a deadlock in the Supreme Court.^[5]

Amidst this turmoil, conflicting rulings from different benches exacerbated the crisis. Despite substantial opposition, Shah pushed forward with Sharif's trial, which ultimately led to a violent takeover of the Supreme Court by Sharif's supporters.^[5]