# 1997 Storming of the Supreme Court of Pakistan

* This article is part of a series aboutNawaz Sharif
Early life
Political career
Electoral history
Political views
Daronomics
Foreign policy
Parties
Pakistan Muslim League
Islami Jamhoori Ittehad
Pakistan Muslim League (N)
Elections
1988
1990
1993
1997
2013
Chief Minister of Punjab
First provincial government
Second provincial government
Prime Minister of Pakistan
First ministry and term
First government
Amendments to the Constitution of Pakistan
XII
Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal
Privatisation in Pakistan
Operation Clean-up
Kashmir Solidarity Day
Second ministry and term
Second government
Anti Terrorism Court of Pakistan
Amendments to the Constitution of Pakistan
XIII
XIV
XVI
1997 Storming of the Supreme Court of Pakistan
Resignation of Jehangir Karamat
Nuclear Tests
Chagai-I
Chagai-II
Lahore Declaration
Delhi–Lahore Bus
Youm-e-Takbir
Kargil War
1999 Pakistani coup d'état
Third ministry and term
Third government
International trips
Civil–military ties
Dawn leaks
Military courts
National Action Plan (Pakistan)
Operation Zarb-e-Azb
2014 protests
Prime Minister's Youth Programme
Prime Minister's Fee Reimbursement Scheme
Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme
China–Pakistan Economic Corridor
Panama Papers case
Go Nawaz Go
Gallery: picture, sound, video :
vte :
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.
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.
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. 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.

## Background

The tension between Syed Sajjad Ali Shah and Nawaz Sharif had been intensifying since Sharif's reinstatement in February 1997. 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. 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. 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.
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. The action met opposition from a rival faction within the judiciary, leading to a deadlock in the Supreme Court.
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.