View source for Shaukat Aziz

{{Short description|Pakistani banker and politician (born 1949)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{other people||Shaukat Aziz (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Shaukat Aziz
| image               = Shaukat Aziz.jpg
| native_name         = {{No bold|{{Script/Nastaliq|شوکت عزیز}}}}
| caption             = Aziz in 2007
| office              = 15th [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]]
| president           = [[Pervez Musharraf]]
| term_start          = 28 August 2004
| term_end            = 15 November 2007
| predecessor         = [[Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain]]
| successor           = [[Muhammad Mian Soomro]] (caretaker)
| office1             = [[Finance Minister of Pakistan|Minister of Finance]]
| primeminister1      = [[Zafarullah Khan Jamali]]<br />[[Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain]] <br> Himself
| term_start1         = 6 November 1999
| term_end1           = 15 November 2007
| predecessor1        = [[Ishaq Dar]]
| successor1          = [[Salman Shah (economist)|Salman Shah]] (caretaker)
| office3             = Member of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]]
| term_start3         = 20 August 2004
| term_end3           = 15 November 2007
| constituency3       = [[NA-59 (Attock-III)]]
| predecessor3        = [[Eman Waseem]]
| successor3          = [[Sardar Saleem Haider Khan]]
| birth_name          = Shaukat Abdul Aziz
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1949|3|6|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Karachi]], [[Federal Capital Territory (Karachi)|Federal Capital Territory]], [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]]
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| otherparty          = [[Pakistan Muslim League (Q)|PML(Q)]] (2002–2007)
| spouse              = Rukhsana Aziz
| residence           = [[London]], [[United Kingdom]]
| alma_mater          = [[Gordon College (Pakistan)|Gordon College]]<br />[[Institute of Business Administration, Karachi|IBA]]
| native_name_lang    = ur
}}

'''Shaukat Aziz'''{{Efn|{{langx|ur|شوکت عزیز}}}} (born 6 March 1949) is a Pakistani-born British former [[banker]] who served as the 15th [[prime minister of Pakistan]] from 28 August 2004 to 15 November 2007. When his term as Prime Minister was over, he immediately left Pakistan and settled in the United Kingdom. Previously, he served as the [[finance minister of Pakistan]] from 6 November 1999 to 15 November 2007.

Aziz was born in [[Karachi]]. He graduated from the [[Institute of Business Administration, Karachi|Institute of Business Administration]] and later joined the corporate staff of the [[Citibank|CitiBank Pakistan]] in 1969. He initially served as CitiBank financier, and became [[Executive Vice President|executive vice-president]] of Citibank in 1999. 

In 1999, Aziz entered politics on the personal request of [[Pervez Musharraf]] and moved to Pakistan from the United States to assume charge of the [[Ministry of Finance (Pakistan)|Finance Ministry]] as the finance minister. In 2004, Aziz was nominated by the Musharraf as his prime minister after taking resignation from [[Zafarullah Khan Jamali]] on 6 June 2004.

== Early life and education ==
Shaukat Aziz was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on 6 March 1949. He studied at Saint Patrick's School, Karachi and Abbottabad Public School, Abbottabad, Pakistan.<ref name="Chinese University of Hong Kong">{{cite web|title=Shaukat Aziz|url=http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ipro/aziz/biography.html|work=Chinese University of Hong Kong|access-date=28 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113151018/http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ipro/aziz/biography.html|archive-date=13 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> His father, S.A. Aziz<ref name="The Directorate-General of the Associate Press of Pakistan"/> (sometimes Abdul Aziz) was a [[Broadcast engineering|radio engineer]] employed in the state-owned [[Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation]] (PBC) as chief engineer.<ref name="The Directorate-General of the Associate Press of Pakistan">{{cite news |agency=Associate Press of Pakistan |title=Radio Pakistan playing important role in national integration:Shaukat Aziz |url=https://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3699&itemid=5 |access-date=30 May 2012 |date=12 February 2004 |page=1 |format=webcache |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626082425/http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content |archive-date=26 June 2010 }}</ref>

The PBC moved his family to [[Abbottabad]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|North West Frontier Province]] where he attended the [[Abbottabad Public School]]. Later, the family moved back to Karachi. Aziz matriculated and obtained high-school diploma from [[Saint Patrick's High School, Karachi|Saint Patrick's High School]] and proceeded to Government College now GCU In Lahore where he passed his inter-level and ascended to attend the [[Gordon College (Rawalpindi)|Gordon College of Rawalpindi]], Punjab province in 1965. Aziz obtained a BS<ref name="Chinese University of Hong Kong"/> degree in Economics<ref name="Chinese University of Hong Kong"/> in 1967 from Gordan College and moved back to Karachi the same year to enroll in a master's programme.<ref name="Chinese University of Hong Kong"/> Aziz attended the master's programme of the [[Institute of Business Administration, Karachi|Institute of Business Administration]] (IBA) in Karachi and obtained [[Master of Business Administration|MBA]] in business administration in 1969.<ref name="Chinese University of Hong Kong"/>

== Banking career ==
Initially, Aziz joined the corporate branch of Citibank Pakistan as its credit officer in 1969. During his career, Aziz subsequently served in various countries including Pakistan, Greece, United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Philippines, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.
{{quote box|quote=When a multinational corporation wants to enter emerging markets, it call its lawyers, its accountants, its embassy...and of course, Citibank...|source=Aziz as the director of Asia/Pacific global finance operations, CitiBank<ref name="SAGE Publications"/>|width=33%}} After arriving to assume the charge of corporate assignment in the United States, Aziz settled in New York City and took over the office operations of Citibank at the [[Empire State Building]].<ref name="Public Affairs Trade Mark (Kishore Mahbubani)">{{cite book|last=Mahbubani|first=Kishore|title=The New Asian Hemisphere: The Irresistible Shift of Global Power to East|publisher=PublicAffairs|location=USA|isbn=978-1-58648-671-6|pages=163–165|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jj-XPYft7ekC&q=shaukat+Aziz+New+York&pg=PA163|access-date=6 June 2012|chapter=Pakistan: Asian Tiger|year=2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009024131/http://books.google.com/books?id=Jj-XPYft7ekC&pg=PA163&dq=shaukat+Aziz+New+York&hl=en&sa=X&ei=BevPT9WBEcKg2QXkz-jKDA&ved=0CFUQuwUwBDgK#v=onepage&q=shaukat%20Aziz%20New%20York&f=true|archive-date=9 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Aziz acquired [[Permanent residence (United States)|permanent residence]] status,<ref name="Shaheen Sehbai, Washington DC, July 18, 2004"/> but did not acquire [[American citizenship]],<ref name="Shaheen Sehbai, Washington DC, July 18, 2004">{{cite web|last=Shaheen Sehbai|title=The Irrelevant Controversy Over US Citizenship of PM-in-Waiting Shaukat Aziz|url=http://antisystemic.org/satribune/www.satribune.com/archives/july04/P1_ss.htm|location=Washington DC|date=18 July 2004|access-date=8 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110174739/http://antisystemic.org/satribune/www.satribune.com/archives/july04/P1_ss.htm|archive-date=10 January 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> whilst continuing to upgrade his legal status.<ref name="Public Affairs Trade Mark (Kishore Mahbubani)"/>{{clarify|date=January 2018}}

In the U.S., Aziz held numerous positions in Citibank across several divisions including Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Corporate Planning Officer (CPO), Chief Financial Officer of Citicorp and managing director of Citibank Singapore. He has been a board member of Citibank subsidiaries, including Saudi American Bank, Citicorp Islamic Bank, and of several non-profit organizations.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3941185.stm Profile: Shaukat Aziz] , BBC News</ref> Aziz played a pivotal role in expanding Citibank branches and corporate directive operations throughout the country and was instrumental in bringing multinational banking industries into Pakistan in the 1990s.<ref name="SAGE Publications">{{cite book|last=Conklin|first=David W.|title=Cases in the Environment of Business: International Perspective|year=2006|publisher=SAGE Publications|location=London UK.|isbn=1-4129-1436-1|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ppjam4YUSiUC&q=shaukat+aziz+citigroup&pg=PA317|edition=1|page=[https://archive.org/details/casesinenvironme0000unse/page/371 371–318]|chapter=The Global Network|url=https://archive.org/details/casesinenvironme0000unse/page/371}}</ref>

At Citibank, Aziz served as the corporate director of Asia Pacific global finance operations and had been notable for financing and managing funds on behalf of Citibank and other financial corporations in global stock markets.<ref name="SAGE Publications"/> He was also involved with [[Citi Private Bank]], a subsidiary of Citigroup.<ref name="Author House TM">{{cite book|last=Leahy|first=Jack|title=Survive & Prosper: Grow your business in Today's Economy|publisher=Author House|location=Bloomington, Indiana|isbn=978-1-4389-9395-9|pages=144, 146|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VRMfhLOPKhwC&q=shaukat+aziz+citigroup&pg=PA146|chapter=Utilize your Time Effectively|date=16 September 2009|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728200855/http://books.google.com/books?id=VRMfhLOPKhwC&pg=PA146&dq=shaukat+aziz+citigroup&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0PbDT7TdOMijiALB_c3XBw&ved=0CEsQuwUwBA#v=onepage&q=shaukat%20aziz%20citigroup&f=true|archive-date=28 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Aziz regarded his career in Citigroup as "extremely helpful" in preparing him for the executive public office, in 2006.<ref name="Farrar, Straus, and Giroux">{{cite book|last=Rothkopf|first=David|title=Superclass: The Global Power Elites|year=2008|publisher=Farrar, Straus, and Giroux|location=United States|isbn=978-0-374-53161-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=beHXwswSD9AC&q=shaukat+aziz+citigroup&pg=PA150|page=150|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720043931/http://books.google.com/books?id=beHXwswSD9AC&pg=PA150&dq=shaukat+aziz+citigroup&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Y_vDT-qFGsqziQK1orThCw&ved=0CEUQuwUwAzgK#v=onepage&q=shaukat%20aziz%20citigroup&f=true|archive-date=20 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Defense.gov News Photo 040422-D-9880W-024.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Aziz engaging in discussions with American officials.]]
Aziz continued to visit Pakistan, working to expand Citibank's financial services and banking, overseeing the wide expansion of Citigroup's branches and its influence in Pakistan.<ref name="SAGE Publications"/> In the 1990s, he worked closely with the governments of [[Benazir Bhutto]] and [[Nawaz Sharif]] to help negotiate economic relief packages and aid to Pakistan, while maintaining diverse relations with [[Pakistan Armed Forces]] who would also visit the United States as part of Sharif's and Benazir Bhutto's state visits.<ref name="SAGE Publications"/>

By the 1990s, Aziz had established many notable contacts within the United States administration.<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/> In a book, ''Global Financial Warrior'', written by John B. Taylor, Aziz had substantial access to the US Treasury, [[World Bank]] and many other world financial institutions.<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/> Aziz worked closely with the United States in order to finance U.S. war games and operations.<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/> Aziz knew the volumes of secretive methods of transferring funds in and out of South Asia, particularly clandestine financing of nuclear weapons programmes of [[Indian nuclear programme|India]] and [[Pakistan and its Nuclear Deterrent Program|Pakistan]] at its most, Taylor maintained.<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/>

== Finance minister ==
{{Main|Corporate sector of Pakistan#Corporate sector of Pakistan|l1=Corporate capitalization in Pakistan|Economy of Pakistan|Finance Minister of Pakistan}}
[[File:Defense.gov News Photo 030415-D-2987S-003.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Aziz on a visit to United States]]
Shaukat Aziz had been a president of [[Citi Private Bank]] in New York before returning to Pakistan in 1999.<ref name="University of California Press Ltd.">{{cite book|last=Wolpert|first=Stanley A.|title=India|year=2005|publisher=University of California Press Ltd.|location=London, England|isbn=0-520-24696-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HmkL1tp2Nl4C&q=shaukat+aziz+citigroup&pg=PR24|edition=3|page=xxiv|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131120739/http://books.google.com/books?id=HmkL1tp2Nl4C&pg=PR24&dq=shaukat+aziz+citigroup&hl=en&sa=X&ei=_vrDT_SeO6bciALIpqCsCA&ved=0CDcQuwUwADgK#v=onepage&q=shaukat%20aziz%20citigroup&f=true|archive-date=31 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly, General Pervez Musharraf arrived for a small personal trip to the United States after staging a [[1999 Pakistani coup d'état|coup d'état]] to deposed the people-elected prime minister [[Navaz Sharif]] on 12 October 1999.<ref name=Telepak/>

On 26 November 1999, while addressing a gathering of influential lobbyists of the [[Pakistani American|Pakistani American community]], a political lobbying sub-body of the [[Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America|Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America]] (APPNA), Musharraf stated that: "Shaukat Aziz has come to Pakistan with forty other financial experts who have offered free service to revive Pakistan's national economy".<ref name=Telepak>{{cite web|last=NOKIA Ltd|title=Shaukat Aziz|url=http://www.telepk.com/personalities/shaukat-aziz/|publisher=Telepak|access-date=28 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510070129/http://www.telepk.com/personalities/shaukat-aziz/|archive-date=10 May 2012|url-status=dead}}{{unreliable source?|date=January 2013}}(looks like a cache of an early WP article)</ref> After a brief session, Musharraf asked Shaukat Aziz to stand up and introduce himself to the audience.<ref name=Telepak/>

Aziz reportedly returned with Musharraf in November 1999 and took charge of the [[Ministry of Finance (Pakistan)|Finance ministry]] as its [[Minister of Finance (Pakistan)|Finance Minister]]. Aziz took control of the economy with responsibility for [[Ministry of Finance (Pakistan)#Finance|Finance]], [[Ministry of Finance (Pakistan)|Economic Affairs]], [[Statistics Division of the Government of Pakistan|Statistics Division]], [[Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives|Planning and Development]], and [[Ministry of Finance (Pakistan)#Revenue|Revenue divisions]]. As Minister of Finance Aziz also headed the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet, the Cabinet Committee on Investment, the executive committee of the National Economic Council, and the Cabinet Committee on Privatization. As Finance minister, all [[: Category:Government-owned companies of Pakistan|state-owned mega-corporations]] came under the government-ownership while restructuring each mega-corporation to set off to privatisation.<ref name="Cambridge University Press, 2012">{{cite book|last=Ghias|first=Shoaib A.|chapter=Miscarriage of Chief Justice: Judicial Power and the Legal Complex in Pakistan under Musharraf|title=Fates of Political Liberalism in the British Post-Colony|year=2012|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-107-01278-3|pages=350–351|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3j4JtL4b3ggC&pg=PA348|edition=1|access-date=6 June 2012|chapter-format=google books}}</ref> During his first days, Aziz worked to control the economy in a difficult and hostile environment with then-President [[Muhammad Rafiq Tarar]] who called him "an alien", and many among those who were close to deposed prime minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] and Benazir Bhutto.<ref name="The Two Wheel Spinners: PM Shaukat Aziz and ManMohan Singh">{{cite book|title=The Two Wheel Spinners: PM Shaukat Aziz and ManMohan Singh|isbn=978-1-4389-3800-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vX9WKBEJHhkC&q=Shaukat+Aziz+and+Rafiq+Tarar&pg=PA217|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131163337/http://books.google.com/books?id=vX9WKBEJHhkC&pg=PA217&dq=Shaukat+Aziz+and+Rafiq+Tarar&hl=en&sa=X&ei=fY_WT9DRE8nU2AX2prSODw&ved=0CFMQuwUwBQ#v=onepage&q&f=true|archive-date=31 January 2014|url-status=live|date=23 July 2009|last1=Chaudhry|first1=Mohammad Ashraf|publisher=AuthorHouse }}</ref> Other politicians including [[Fazal-ur-Rehman (politician, born 1953)|Fazal-ur-Rehman]] and [[Ameen Faheem]] became hostile towards Aziz and his policies; and harboured grave doubts about him because Aziz was not like a traditional politician in the country, an accredited politician.<ref name="The Two Wheel Spinners: PM Shaukat Aziz and ManMohan Singh"/>

Initially there was a decline in the economy, and Aziz attributes this as "state (Pakistan) unpleasant relations with international financial institutions.<ref name="Nova Science Publishers">{{cite book|last=Mahmood|first=Sohail|title=The Musharraf Regime and Governance Crises|year=2001|publisher=Nova Science Publishers|location=United States|isbn=1-59033-135-4|pages=72; 83; 84; 101; 104|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FNnaIBd8jk0C&q=Shaukat+Aziz+Finance+minister&pg=PA101|access-date=6 June 2012|format=google books|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703112139/http://books.google.com/books?id=FNnaIBd8jk0C&pg=PA101&dq=Shaukat+Aziz+Finance+minister&hl=en&sa=X&ei=VvfOT5ayCYbq2AWV6-SHDQ&ved=0CD8QuwUwAjgU#v=onepage&q=Shaukat%20Aziz%20Finance%20minister&f=true|archive-date=3 July 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> There was a ~70% decline in the national economy with the loss of $150 million (1999) to $600 million (2000), which constituted 0.21% of [[foreign direct investment]] (FDI) global flow.<ref name="Nova Science Publishers"/> Aziz took initiatives for FDI offering incentives to foreign investors with his [[macroeconomic]] policies, taxation framework and a consistent investment policy.<ref name="Nova Science Publishers"/>

[[File:Aziz-Wolfowitz.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Shaukat Aziz with [[Paul Wolfowitz]] at The Pentagon, 2003.]]
After the [[11 September attacks]] in the United States and [[Pakistan's role in the War on Terror|Pakistan's role]] in the [[War on Terror]], Aziz travelled to the United States in order to negotiate a relief and [[U.S. aid to Pakistan]].<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd.">{{cite book|last=Taylor|first=John B.|title=Global Financial Warriors|year=2007|publisher=W.W. Norton and Company Ltd.|location=United States|isbn=978-0-393-06448-3|pages=[https://archive.org/details/globalfinancialw00tayl/page/17 17–33]|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zIMmgiqwC6EC&q=Shaukat+Aziz+Finance+minister&pg=PA17|edition=1|chapter=The untold story of global finance of war on terror: Pakistan|access-date=13 February 2016|url=https://archive.org/details/globalfinancialw00tayl/page/17}}</ref> He closely worked with [[United States Secretary of the Treasury|US Secretary of the Treasury]] on the detail of the devised plan on how to [[War against the Taliban|remove the Taliban]] from Afghanistan, cancellation and debt relief, loans from the World Bank, and direct support from U.S. Aid for national public development.<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/> Aziz recommended policies and new plan of economic reforms, including the improved budgetary transparency and spending controls— a plan that was widely accepted by the United States.<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/> With the help from [[United States Department of the Treasury]], Aziz thwarted individuals, difficulties and obstacles to achieve success in his economic programmes.<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/> In 2002, Aziz worked with U.S. administration to help advise the United States to finance the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|war in Afghanistan]].<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/> In the words of John B. Taylor, Aziz suggested that U.S. should call out for a meeting of finance ministers of the [[G7|G7 member]] countries, where the illicit funding of money would become a great problem for G7 countries in the future.<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/> In April 2002, Aziz chaired a ''historical'' meeting on behalf of Pakistan and the United States, helping the G7 members to understand how the illicit money was transferred was shared with the finance ministers of G7 members and Pakistan on other side.<ref name="W.W. Norton and Company Ltd."/>

In 2001, Aziz implemented and activated the [[Privatization in Pakistan|Privatisation Programme]] (first founded by former prime minister [[Nawaz Sharif]] in 1991) and opened all state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to private sector.<ref name="Cambridge University Press, 2012"/> This programme undertook the country into rapid economic growth and extreme level of industrialisation the country had for yet seen since 1972.<ref name="Cambridge University Press, 2012"/> After the [[2002 Pakistani general election|2002 general elections]], Aziz intensified his programme and aggressively implemented [[economic liberalisation]] policies in the country.<ref name="Cambridge University Press, 2012"/> Aziz's financial policies came under surrounding controversies,<ref name="Cambridge University Press, 2012"/> creating new problems for Prime minister [[Zafarullah Khan Jamali]] to counter who was forced to resign the office in his favour.<ref name="Cambridge University Press, 2012"/> His affordable real estate scheme encouraged common men to afford a house and a vehicle on low investment. On the other hand, this scheme brought an increased violation of zoning regulations in construction companies. Although, Zafarullah Khan Jamali controlled the inflation at its low level, his deregulation policies of price control caused the oil and sugar prices to skyrocket.<ref name="Cambridge University Press, 2012"/> His public and liberalisation of economy policy expanded the political role of [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]] in a higher level of the government and to target high-level of government corruption independently without government interferences.<ref name="Cambridge University Press, 2012"/>

Pakistan's fiscal performance was praised by [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]] and the World Bank.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pakistantimes.net/2004/01/28/top3.htm |title=Top Stories: IMF, WB praise Pakistan's economic and fiscal performance |work=Pakistan Times |access-date=6 June 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019130859/http://pakistantimes.net/2004/01/28/top3.htm |archive-date=19 October 2010 }}</ref> The World Bank further reiterated that Pakistan's economic growth bolstered international confidence.<ref>[http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\story_23-3-2007_pg5_16 Pak economic growth has bolstered int’l confidence: WB] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222065912/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007 |date=22 February 2008 }}, ''Daily Times''.</ref>

===Assassination attempt===
While campaigning on 30 July 2004, Aziz survived an assassination attempt in the [[Attock District]] of [[Punjab, Pakistan]].<ref name="CBC News">{{cite news|last=Press Release|title=Pakistan's PM designate survives assassination attempt|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/pakistan-s-pm-designate-survives-assassination-attempt-1.514614|access-date=28 May 2012|publisher=CBC News|date=30 July 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistani PM-Designate Escapes Assassination Attempt - 2004-07-30 |url=https://www.voanews.com/archive/pakistani-pm-designate-escapes-assassination-attempt-2004-07-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707055911/https://www.voanews.com/archive/pakistani-pm-designate-escapes-assassination-attempt-2004-07-30 |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2020 |work=Voice of America}}</ref> The suicide bomb attack was staged in [[Fateh Jang]], a small town to the north of the capital, Islamabad, where Aziz was contesting an election.<ref name="CBC News"/> The attempt was made when Aziz was departing after meeting with constituents. A suicide bomber, who was travelling with the Aziz motorcade, detonated the device next to the car in which Aziz was travelling, killing himself and Aziz's chauffeur, as well as six others.<ref name="CBC News"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan Leader Survives Suicide Attack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/30/international/middleeast/pakistan-leader-survives-suicide-attack.html |work=The New York Times |date=30 July 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Aziz survives attempt on life; 7 dead: 70 hurt after Fatehjang rally attack |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/395931 |work=Dawn |date=31 July 2004}}</ref>

Aziz called the incident "tragic", and said it had claimed the lives of innocent people. He added that it had reinforced his resolve to serve Pakistan and the Islamic world.<ref name="Archive, Arabnews">{{cite news|last=Farooq|first=Umer|title=Shaukat Aziz Escapes Assassination|url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=49149&d=31&m=7&y=2004|access-date=28 May 2012|newspaper=Arabnews|date=31 July 2004}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> After safely reaching Islamabad, Aziz instigated a probe, while the foreign office contacted its mission in Egypt to try to determine the veracity of an Al Qaeda claim of responsibility.<ref name="Dawn News Archive 2004">{{cite news|title=Al Qaeda group claims attack on Shaukat Aziz: Pakistani mission in Egypt contacted •10 arrested •All options being probed|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2004/08/01/top1.htm|access-date=28 May 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=1 August 2004|author=Arshad Sharif, Mohammad Asghar & Yaqoob Malik|page=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116103918/http://archives.dawn.com/2004/08/01/top1.htm|archive-date=16 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Ten suspected [[Al-Qaeda]] perpetrators were arrested in Egypt and later extradited to Pakistan for the crime.<ref name="Dawn News Archive 2004"/>

== Premiership ==
By 2004, Aziz had become a right hand of general Musharraf, as Musharraf described in [[In the Line of Fire: A Memoir|his memoirs]].<ref name="Free Press (publisher)">{{cite book|last=Musharraf|first=Pervez|title=In the Line of Fire: A Memoir|year=2006|publisher=[[Free Press (publisher)|Free Press]]|location=Pakistan|isbn=074-3283449|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7igVvi3aO-8C&q=shaukat+aziz&pg=PA179|edition=1|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312140623/https://books.google.com/books?id=7igVvi3aO-8C&pg=PA179&dq=shaukat+aziz&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4PHDT9fwE6SPiALPtrWFCA&ved=0CEQQuwUwAw#v=snippet&q=shaukat%20aziz&f=true|archive-date=12 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The strong oligarch business class of Pakistan, notably [[Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain]], had been impressed by Shaukat Aziz's performance as finance minister.<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/> Following the resignation of [[Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali]] on 26 June 2004, Hussain nominated Aziz for the office of prime minister and was also a top choice for the candidacy of prime ministerial post by Musharraf.<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/><ref name="South Asia: BBC Pakistan ">{{Cite web
  | title =Profile: Shaukat Aziz
  | publisher =BBC Pakistan
  | quote =Pakistan's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz is a former private banker credited with recent reforms of his country's economy... British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) remarks
  | date =19 August 2004
| url =https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3941185.stm
  | access-date =8 August 2011
  | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110810091403/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3941185.stm
  | archive-date =10 August 2011
| url-status =live
  }}</ref>

However, Aziz was not a member of the [[National Assembly of Pakistan|National Assembly]], although he was a [[Pakistan Senate|Senator]].<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/> As required by the constitution, the prime minister had to be a member of the National Assembly.<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/> Aziz was highly regarded as a "technocrat" and had gained the trust of the establishment, international institutions and public support. His nomination came after another technocrat-economist, Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]], became the [[prime minister of India]] and Aziz was widely seen as compatible with his Indian counterpart.<ref name="The Brookings Institution">{{cite book|last=Cohen|first=Stephen P.|title=The Idea of Pakistan|publisher=The Brookings Institution|location=Washington DC US.|isbn=0-8157-1502-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-78yjVybQfkC&q=shaukat+aziz&pg=PA277|access-date=28 May 2012|page=277|year=2004}}</ref>
[[File:ShaukatAziz with Bush.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|Shaukat Aziz at the White House with US president George W. Bush, 24 January 2006.]]
Having been described and labelled as an urban gentlemen and smartly dressed, Aziz was tasked with day-to-day running of the federal government and see that policies were more effectively executed while Musharraf handled the military issues.<ref name="South Asia: BBC Pakistan "/> In Pakistan, it was also said that Musharraf blindly trusted Aziz and sometimes, Musharraf's approvals were not needed for the projects that normally required permission.<ref name="South Asia: BBC Pakistan "/> Aziz quietly and more quickly undermined the elements seeking to undermine Musharraf which may have been a factor that Musharraf had blindly trusted Aziz.<ref name="South Asia: BBC Pakistan "/>

The post was held by [[Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sites.google.com/site/brfdictionary/glossary/s/shortcut |title=Shortcut - BRF Dictionary |access-date=22 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022122342/http://sites.google.com/site/brfdictionary/glossary/s/shortcut |archive-date=22 October 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> while Aziz fulfilled the constitutional requirement of securing a seat in the lower house of [[Parliament of Pakistan|parliament]]. Aziz ran from two constituencies, [[Tharparkar District|Tharparkar-I]] in Sindh, and [[Attock District]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050429121136/http://pakistantimes.net/2004/08/21/top1.htm "Shaukat takes oath as MNA, Retains Attock Seat"]}} ''Pakistan Times''</ref> Even after the assassination attempt, Aziz continued campaigning and won from both constituencies. Since he could retain only one seat, he immediately vacated his [[Tharparkar]] seat, preferring to represent Attock, where he had won by 76,156 votes to 29,497.

===Domestic reforms===
[[File:Shaukat Aziz at Pentagon.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld (right) greets Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at the Pentagon.]]
Aziz successfully oversaw the rapid development of the [[Local government in Pakistan|local government system]] in Pakistan as part of his "Strengthening Decentralisation" program.<ref name="Bulletin of Commonwealth of Nations">{{cite journal|last=CCS|title=Devolution Mark for Pakistan|journal=Bulletin of Commonwealth of Nations|year=2006|volume=6|series=1|pages=2|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:0_SxFGfVXKEJ:www.clgf.org.uk/userfiles/1/File/03-06Nov2006.pdf+Local+government+in+Pakistan+shaukat+aziz&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjTS3Isv6kVx3bwaGPdm4JAgGJPhdfIz7nnxkCXaBDyVg1oKy3Hynwatmgui-0bVeanYO1OO_11YumWHRgDrhgu4NNlCpWS4NWHnjdNKS1d9Fzbt32mpVg5o8WK6aRSgxLw5jaG&sig=AHIEtbS7AiiFox0kBgcVPR3Wuc1CCe-S4Q|access-date=30 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029230558/https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache%3A0_SxFGfVXKEJ%3Awww.clgf.org.uk%2Fuserfiles%2F1%2FFile%2F03-06Nov2006.pdf+Local+government+in+Pakistan+shaukat+aziz&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjTS3Isv6kVx3bwaGPdm4JAgGJPhdfIz7nnxkCXaBDyVg1oKy3Hynwatmgui-0bVeanYO1OO_11YumWHRgDrhgu4NNlCpWS4NWHnjdNKS1d9Fzbt32mpVg5o8WK6aRSgxLw5jaG&sig=AHIEtbS7AiiFox0kBgcVPR3Wuc1CCe-S4Q|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> His domestic initiatives including the decentralisation in the country, and termed the local government system as "more transparent and accountable".<ref name="Bulletin of Commonwealth of Nations"/><ref name="The Commonwealth Secretariat">{{cite web|last=The Commonwealth Secretariat|title=Pakistani PM Calls for Accountability of Local Governments|url=http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/152955/pakistani_pm_calls_for_accountability_of_local_gov.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415224136/http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/34580/34581/152955/pakistani_pm_calls_for_accountability_of_local_gov.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 April 2013|access-date=30 May 2012|quote=Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz of Pakistan has called on local governments to be more transparent and accountable.}}</ref> Aziz strengthened the policy formats and area of responsibility of [[National Reconstruction Bureau]] (NRB) after appointing [[Daniyal Aziz]] in 2005.<ref name="The Commonwealth Secretariat"/> In 2005, Aziz's government installed 6,000 [[Water supply and sanitation in Pakistan|water supply and sanitation filter]] plants through the Khushal Pakistan (lit. Prospered Pakistan) programme, a scheme founded by [[Nawaz Sharif]] in the 1990s.<ref name="Daily Times, Monday, July 04, 2005">{{cite news|title=PM assures fair local body elections|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_4-7-2005_pg7_41|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|date=4 July 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024220704/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_4-7-2005_pg7_41|archive-date=24 October 2012}}</ref>
As prime minister, Aziz took hard stance against rivals and took a hardline against his political challengers.<ref name="ABC-CLIO Inc.">{{cite book|last=Lyon|first=Peter|title=Roots of Modern Conflict|year=2008|publisher=ABC-CLIO Inc.|location=United States|isbn=978-1-57607-712-2|pages=25–26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vLwOck15eboC&q=Shaukat+Aziz+Finance+minister&pg=PA25|access-date=6 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231221859/http://books.google.com/books?id=vLwOck15eboC&pg=PA25&dq=Shaukat+Aziz+Finance+minister&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-_XOT-vFI6as2wW9v6C5DA&ved=0CE0QuwUwBA#v=onepage&q=Shaukat%20Aziz%20Finance%20minister&f=true|archive-date=31 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Aziz thrashed the [[Alliance for Restoration of Democracy]] (ARD) led by conservative leader [[Javed Hashmi]] who was placed in military prison on treason charges, on a support provided by Aziz.<ref name="ABC-CLIO Inc."/> His hardline and tough counter [[active measures]] forced [[Pakistan Peoples Party]] of [[Benazir Bhutto]] and [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|Pakistan Muslim League-N]] of [[Nawaz Sharif]] to concede their defeat and took asylum in United Kingdom.<ref name="ABC-CLIO Inc."/>

In 2005, non-partisan local government elections were decided to be held in entire country, starting first to hold the elections in Karachi, [[Sindh Province]].<ref name="Dawn Archives, 2005">{{cite news|last=Shamim-ur-Rahman|title=PM rules out delay in local body polls: Foreign observers welcome|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2005/07/10/top1.htm|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=10 July 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021153917/http://archives.dawn.com/2005/07/10/top1.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Subsequently, Aziz supervised and presided the first free and fair local body elections with PML(Q) and its allied parties sweeping the election arena.<ref name="Jang Archive Data">{{cite news|title=Group positions of all four provinces in LG polls 2005|url=http://jang.com.pk/important_events/localbodies-polls2005/news/archive_eng/19-08-05.htm|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Jang Archive Data|year=2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021162853/http://jang.com.pk/important_events/localbodies-polls2005/news/archive_eng/19-08-05.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> Controversially, Aziz allocated Rs. 20 million to each district where PML(Q) candidates lost the National Assembly elections in order to secure its voting bank that was lost in 2002.<ref name="Daily Times, Sunday, June 12, 2005">{{cite news|title=Local body elections in NWFP: PML district heads to get Rs 20m|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_12-6-2005_pg1_7|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|date=12 June 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021163351/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_12-6-2005_pg1_7|archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> In Sindh and Balochistan Province, Aziz presided the peaceful election held events and personally monitored the success of the local government body programme.<ref name=UNPO>{{cite news|last=Press release|title=Sindh: Prime Minister Lauds Peaceful Conduct of LG Polls|url=http://www.unpo.org/article/2939|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=UNPO|year=2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604035926/http://www.unpo.org/article/2939|archive-date=4 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Under his first few of years of government, the law and order situation remains under control and prosperity in Balochistan,<ref name="Dawn Archives, August 30, 2005">{{cite news|last=Our Reporter|title=Jam calls on Shaukat Aziz|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2005/08/30/nat17.htm|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=30 August 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021153913/http://archives.dawn.com/2005/08/30/nat17.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and presided the completion the first phase of the [[Gwadar port]].

Problems began to mount with nationalist [[Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti|Akbar Bugti]], an ally of [[Nawaz Sharif]].<ref name="The Express Tribune, November 3, 2011"/> Although, Aziz repeatedly and forcefully denied the knowledge of any military action against Bugti and, as prime minister, Aziz never released any information of any military action in Balochistan.<ref name="The Express Tribune, November 3, 2011"/> However, Aziz appeared on television screens and stated that "Akbar Bugti died in a military operation during the night of August 25–26, 2008".<ref name="The Express Tribune, November 3, 2011"/> Aziz was inflicted with the involvement in the killing of Akbar Khan Bugti, although he has denied any involvement in any manner.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shaukat Aziz on killing of Akbar Bugti|url=http://pakobserver.net/201112/14/detailnews.asp?id=130028|work=Pakistan Observer|access-date=30 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715033755/http://pakobserver.net/201112/14/detailnews.asp?id=130028|archive-date=15 July 2012}}</ref>

In Islamabad alone, Aziz's government was forced to take military action, codename ''[[Operation Silence|Silence]]'' after chairing a meeting with the President.<ref name="Daily Times, Sunday, June 28, 2009">{{cite news|last=Daily Times Monitor|title=decision in Steel Mills case was disappointing: Aziz|url=http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\06\28\story_28-6-2009_pg7_6|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times, Sunday, 28 June 2009|date=28 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701061824/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C06%5C28%5Cstory_28-6-2009_pg7_6|archive-date=1 July 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2009, Aziz maintained that his government had tried at every level of extreme to resolve the [[Lal Masjid siege|Lal Masjid issue]] through talks to save lives.<ref name="Daily Times, Sunday, June 28, 2009"/> In a television interview, Aziz maintained that "We gave them time to leave the mosque and the [[Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais|Imam-e-Kaaba Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais]] also came to Pakistan on my request in connection with the issue.".<ref name="Daily Times, Sunday, June 28, 2009"/>

One of the widely reported controversy took place in his government was the atomic proliferation scandal of Abdul Qadeer Khan. Aziz remains supportive towards Khan and efficiently took matters of Abdul Qadeer Khan in 2006 from President Musharraf. On 10 September 2006, Aziz sent flowers and personally visited Khan when he was hospitalised<ref name="Pakistan Tribune, 26 October 2007"/> and on 12 October 2007, Musharraf made it clear to United States and rest of the world that Khan "won't be handed over" at given any circumstances.<ref name="Daily Times, Friday, October 12, 2007">{{cite news|title=AQ Khan won't be handed over: Aziz|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\10\12\story_12-10-2007_pg7_18|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|date=12 October 2007|quote=Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan would not be handed over to anyone and foreign forces would not be allowed to conduct any operation inside Pakistan}}</ref> On a television speech, Aziz paid a huge tribute to Abdul Qadeer Khan and while commenting on last part of his speech, Aziz stressed it:

{{blockquote|text=The (meritorious) services of scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan are "''unforgettable''" for our beloved country, "Pakistan"&nbsp;...|sign=Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz<small> Shukat Aziz publicly supporting Abdul Qadeer Khan in 2007</small>|source=source<ref name="Pakistan Tribune, 26 October 2007">{{cite news|title=Dr. Qadeer's services unforgettable, says PM Shaukat Aziz|url=http://paktribune.com/news/Dr-Qadeers-services-unforgettable-says-PM-Shaukat-Aziz-192877.html|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Pakistan Tribune|date=26 October 2007|quote=The services of Nuclear Scientist Dr. Qadeer Khan are unforgettable for the country; we will not hand him over to any other country&nbsp;...|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517112524/http://paktribune.com/news/Dr-Qadeers-services-unforgettable-says-PM-Shaukat-Aziz-192877.html|archive-date=17 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

===Energy policy===
{{Main|Solar power in Pakistan|Wind power in Pakistan|Nuclear power in Pakistan|Nuclear energy in Pakistan}}
{{See also|Electricity sector in Pakistan|Energy policy of Pakistan}}
[[File:Flickr - World Economic Forum - Godrej and Aziz - World Economic Forum on East Asia 2008.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Shaukat Aziz at the [[World Economic Forum]], 2008]]

After assuming the office, Aziz announced a controversial "New 25-year energy plan", aiming to raise Pakistan's dependence on imported oil for power generation to 50% by 2030.<ref name="The News International, 2011">{{cite news|last=Syed Mohibullah Shah|title=Energised, yet powerless|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9-71398-Energised-yet-powerless|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=The News International|date=8 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616163600/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9-71398-Energised-yet-powerless|archive-date=16 June 2013}}</ref> His government pushed for the renewable energy, and put efforts to establish the [[Solar power in Pakistan|solar energy]] and [[Wind power in Pakistan|wind power sector]] in the country.<ref name="Science Dev Net">{{cite news|last=Syed Fareed Hussain|title=Powering up: Pakistan's push for renewable energy|url=http://www.scidev.net/en/features/powering-up-pakistans-push-for-renewable-energy.html|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=Science Dev Net|date=6 June 2007|page=1|quote=The government's focus is on diversifying energy resources, which include hydropower, natural gas, coal and nuclear energy, besides the alternatives such as solar, wind and biomass energy.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515012548/http://www.scidev.net/en/features/powering-up-pakistans-push-for-renewable-energy.html|archive-date=15 May 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prime Minister Aziz's "New 25-year energy plan" remains extremely controversial and met great public criticism by [[Media of Pakistan|media]] and energy experts.<ref name="The News International, 2011"/> Energy experts<ref name="The News International, 2011"/> rendered Aziz's programme as "bigger disaster" in a view when even oil rich Gulf countries were reducing their share of oil in their power production.<ref name="The News International, 2011"/> Prime Minister Aziz approved the constructional, and approved the developmental work of ''[[Chashma Nuclear Power Plant|CHASNUPP-II]]'' reactor at the [[Chashma Nuclear Power Plant]] in [[Chashma, Pakistan|Chashma city]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab Province]] of Pakistan.<ref name='It was "a milestone" in the history of nuclear technology in Pakistan'>{{cite news|last=Directorate|title=Pakistan building nuclear plant|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4565212.stm|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=BBC Pakistan|date=28 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210134013/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4565212.stm|archive-date=10 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> A 325 [[Megawatt|MW]] commercial nuclear power plant was built with Chinese assistance at the close vicinity of Chashma nuclear power complex. Aziz termed this project as "milestone" in the history of nuclear technology in Pakistan.<ref name='It was "a milestone" in the history of nuclear technology in Pakistan'/> In 2007, Aziz approved the constructional development of ''[[Karachi Nuclear Power Complex|KANUPP-II]]'' and the nuclear reprocessing site, the [[Pakistan Nuclear Power Fuel Complex|Nuclear Power Fuel Complex]] in Islamabad.<ref>{{cite web|last=Khaleeq Kiani|title=Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approves Rs154bn projects|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2007/09/20/top10.htm|work=Dawn|date=20 September 2007 |access-date=29 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021153831/http://archives.dawn.com/2007/09/20/top10.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Aziz oversaw to increase the capacity building of the [[Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority]], a governmental nuclear safety authority, to meet the safety requirement of nuclear power plants.<ref name="Daily Times, Pakistan">{{cite news|title=Safety of nuclear power plants: ECNEC to approve Rs 480m project for PNRA infrastructure|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_18-11-2004_pg7_31|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|location=Pakistan|date=18 November 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021163107/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_18-11-2004_pg7_31|archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref>
In 2007, Aziz further diversified his nuclear energy policy, terming it as "criteria based nuclear technology" while continued financing the nuclear power projects. Aziz presided initial construction of major [[hydroelectric power plant]]s project in Pakistan, such as approving the [[Diamer-Bhasha Dam]].<ref name="Daily Times, 2007">{{cite news|last=Release|title=Aziz urges 'criteria based' approach for civil nuclear technology|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\09\04\story_4-9-2007_pg7_18|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times, 2007|date=4 September 2007}}</ref> Its foundation was laid by his successor [[Yousaf Raza Gillani]] in 2011. In 2004, Aziz directed the [[Ministry of Water and Power (Pakistan)|Ministry of Water and Power]] and [[Planning Commission (Pakistan)|Planning Commission]] to prepare an integrated energy plan for the country.<ref name="Overseas Pakistani Friends">{{cite news|last=Kaleem Omar|title=What has become of the Pakistani government's integrated energy plan?|url=http://www.opfblog.com/777/what-has-become-of-the-pakistani-government%E2%80%99s-integrated-energy-plan/|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=Overseas Pakistani Friends|date=3 March 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022172744/http://www.opfblog.com/777/what-has-become-of-the-pakistani-government%E2%80%99s-integrated-energy-plan/|archive-date=22 October 2013}}</ref> Aziz approved the "Vision 2025" programme" of [[Water and Power Development Authority]] (WAPDA) to produce power through water. The programme was intended to be launched with the help of private sector and private funding through the international megaproject.<ref name="Overseas Pakistani Friends"/> However all projects were cancelled or either put on hold by the upcoming government of [[Yousaf Raza Gillani]] due economic distress, lack of capital and investment and continuing economic declines, leading an increasing circular debt.<ref name="Overseas Pakistani Friends"/>

===Defence policy===
Aziz oversaw the successful development of the [[JF-17 Thunder]] fighter programme in record time, built with the close cooperation with [[China]].<ref name="Dawn News Archive">{{cite news|last=Khaleeq Kiani|title=JF-17 aircraft to be sold, says PM|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2007/04/20/top7.htm|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=Dawn News Archive|date=20 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021153839/http://archives.dawn.com/2007/04/20/top7.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, Aziz stressed that "Pakistan is not an offensive country and our defence doctrine is based on having minimum credible deterrence to maintain peace and stability in the region.".<ref name=PakTribune>{{cite news|last=Release|title=Joint production of JF-17 Thunder Aircraft holds strategic significance for Pak, China: PM Aziz|url=http://paktribune.com/news/Joint-production-of-JF-17-Thunder-Aircraft-holds-strategic-significance-for-Pak-China-PM-Aziz-172842.html|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=PakTribune|date=23 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021162902/http://paktribune.com/news/Joint-production-of-JF-17-Thunder-Aircraft-holds-strategic-significance-for-Pak-China-PM-Aziz-172842.html|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Aziz also successfully saw the technology transfer and contract development of first combatant frigate, the [[F-22P Zulfiquar class frigate|F-22P ''Zulfiquar'']].<ref name="China Business Alliance">{{cite web|last=Thacik|first=John|title=The Enemy of Hagemony is my Friend|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:TTcDybUSL-IJ:foreignaffairs.house.gov/112/tka072611.pdf+f+22+p+zulfikar+and+shaukat+aziz&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjYu_vo2rRA_4nvVwPJdPoUzzhF4_33SnCSe-9ce5UCvb7E7SOABXbLDg41QJe8NvEOg4EqmDwB24OlkStp52tgVs2Njkfux832HjN1doOQZKnwcukX8olXSn62cEUGKZr-1f5B&sig=AHIEtbQnQIEWow4O0KsfTYP9C40rlTqSmw|publisher=China Business Alliance|access-date=29 May 2012|format=google docs|date=26 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029230604/https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache%3ATTcDybUSL-IJ%3Aforeignaffairs.house.gov%2F112%2Ftka072611.pdf+f+22+p+zulfikar+and+shaukat+aziz&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjYu_vo2rRA_4nvVwPJdPoUzzhF4_33SnCSe-9ce5UCvb7E7SOABXbLDg41QJe8NvEOg4EqmDwB24OlkStp52tgVs2Njkfux832HjN1doOQZKnwcukX8olXSn62cEUGKZr-1f5B&sig=AHIEtbQnQIEWow4O0KsfTYP9C40rlTqSmw|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2006, Aziz stressed that: "Pakistan's deep military and economic cooperation with China was one not based on "transient interest", but was "higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans".<ref name="China Business Alliance"/>

In August 2006, Aziz visited the People's Republic of China, seeking Chinese cooperation in [[space technology]]. China expressed interest in helping Pakistan with developing and launching [[satellites]].<ref name="Asia Times Online">{{cite news|last=Syed Fazl-e-Haider|title=China, Pakistan cooperate in space|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/ID26Df01.html|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=Asia Times Online|date=26 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604051018/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/ID26Df01.html|archive-date=4 June 2011|url-status=unfit}}</ref> In a joint statement of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Chinese Premier [[Wen Jiabao]], Aziz emphasised that: "both countries are determined to elevate their friendship and strategic partnership.".<ref name="Asia Times Online"/> A contract was signed with China, Aziz authorized the development of the satellite, ''[[PAKSAT-1R|Paksat-IR]]''.<ref name="Asia Times Online"/> Aziz presided over the security, expansion, and modernization of the country's [[Pakistan and its Nuclear Deterrent Program|nuclear deterrence]] programme as part of his defence policy. Aziz oversaw the successful development of the ''[[Shaheen-II]]'' missile program and witnessed its first flight at an undisclosed location in April 2006.<ref name="BBC Pakistan, Saturday, 29 April 2006, 07:12 GMT 08:12 UK">{{cite news|title=Pakistan stages new missile test|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4957218.stm|access-date=30 May 2012|publisher=BBC Pakistan|date=29 April 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021171838/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4957218.stm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> After witnessing the test, Aziz maintained that: "We will continue to pursue vigorously our security and energy needs from all sources including nuclear.".<ref name="Missile Threat Initiatives">{{cite news|last=MTI|title=Hatf 6|url=http://www.missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.54/missile_detail.asp|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Missile Threat Initiatives|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505045900/http://www.missilethreat.com/missilesoftheworld/id.54/missile_detail.asp|archive-date=5 May 2012}}</ref> On 8 August 2005, Aziz issued directives to tightened the security and control and command of the [[National Command Authority (Pakistan)|National Command Authority]] and ordered strict monitoring of atomic assets and facilities at all levels of command.<ref name="Nuclear South Asia"/>

In 2004, Aziz stated and clarified Pakistan's nuclear policy to the world and India in an interview given to the ''[[Times of India]]'':

{{blockquote|text=Pakistan's strategy of "[[Minimum Credible Deterrence]]" guarantees "peace in the region", and the nuclear weapons programme is moving "strength to strength"&nbsp;... |sign=Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, ''[[Times of India]]''|source=<ref name="Repro India Ltd.">{{cite book|last=Anjali|first=Ghosh|title=India's Foreign Policy Pakistan Factor|year=2009|publisher=Repro India Ltd.|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788131710258|pages=92|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y32u4JMroQgC&q=MIRAGE+5+and+Pakistan+Navy&pg=PA66|access-date=13 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109133418/https://books.google.com/books?id=Y32u4JMroQgC&pg=PA66&lpg=PA66&dq=MIRAGE+5+and+Pakistan+Navy&source=bl&ots=Ic1oORApBI&sig=3prKb5O9VjFQca7uXn_alCal8bg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=J-iBT4HLKuTgiAL06u2KAw&ved=0CCQQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=MIRAGE%205%20and%20Pakistan%20Navy&f=true|archive-date=9 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> }}

From 2005 and onwards, Aziz's government took major steps against [[atomic proliferation]]<ref name="Nuclear South Asia"/> while also making several decisions to increase the capacity of nuclear deterrence and sufficient use of nuclear energy for the civil sector.<ref name="Nuclear South Asia">{{cite web|last=Kazi|first=Reshmi|title=Nuclear South Asia|url=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:2eZG21sB6fgJ:kms1.isn.ethz.ch/serviceengine/Files/ISN/100228/ipublicationdocument_singledocument/616c878a-cf16-4569-985d-718531ea3b29/en/IPCS-Special-Report-08.pdf+SHaukat+Aziz+and+nuclear+weapons&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgkWZJ52DRXy4WvURCYBK85JnQgtYO-AU9lFC-HvoplBPlQdCz7SCDwi-fjuIe7CXgcu1qQ8HFdveXYR-lKJ6gdwtUSO2crv7W-ur0B6UBcJyTnm2XBqbAFb2c4-O7h8vtvN2Zv&sig=AHIEtbSp3R5aBoBSW77TpSFSQhhYutK8Dg|access-date=30 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029230607/https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache%3A2eZG21sB6fgJ%3Akms1.isn.ethz.ch%2Fserviceengine%2FFiles%2FISN%2F100228%2Fipublicationdocument_singledocument%2F616c878a-cf16-4569-985d-718531ea3b29%2Fen%2FIPCS-Special-Report-08.pdf+SHaukat+Aziz+and+nuclear+weapons&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgkWZJ52DRXy4WvURCYBK85JnQgtYO-AU9lFC-HvoplBPlQdCz7SCDwi-fjuIe7CXgcu1qQ8HFdveXYR-lKJ6gdwtUSO2crv7W-ur0B6UBcJyTnm2XBqbAFb2c4-O7h8vtvN2Zv&sig=AHIEtbSp3R5aBoBSW77TpSFSQhhYutK8Dg|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
{{Main|Foreign policy of Pakistan}}
On foreign fronts, Aziz closely collaborated with Musharraf while working to develop the [[Pakistani geostrategy|geostrategy]] in the region. Aziz took initiatives to strengthen the relations with the [[Pakistan–United States relations|United States]], [[Pakistan–European Union relations|European Union]], [[Pakistan–Russia relations|Russia]], [[India–Pakistan relations|India]], [[China–Pakistan relations|China]], and [[Pakistan–Saudi Arabia relations|Saudi Arabia]]. Under his government, relations with the United States were extremely cordial and friendly.<ref name="Atlantic Council">{{cite web|last=Atlantic Council|title=US-Pakistani Relations "Challenging," Says Ex-Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz|url=http://www.acus.org/new_atlanticist/us-pakistani-relations-challenging-says-ex-prime-minister-shaukat-aziz|work=Atlantic Council|access-date=30 May 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130309093919/http://www.acus.org/new_atlanticist/us-pakistani-relations-challenging-says-ex-prime-minister-shaukat-aziz|archive-date=9 March 2013}}</ref> His foreign policy strictly pursued and followed a "Balance Foreign Policy (BFP)" programme with an initial goal to keen to forge robust friendly ties with international community, US and European Union (EU).<ref name="Pakistan Tribune, 27 June 2006">{{cite news|title=Pakistan pursuing balanced foreign policy: Shaukat Aziz|url=http://paktribune.com/news/Pakistan-pursuing-balanced-foreign-policy-Shaukat-Aziz-148138.html|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Pakistan Tribune|date=27 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021162812/http://paktribune.com/news/Pakistan-pursuing-balanced-foreign-policy-Shaukat-Aziz-148138.html|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Shaukat Aziz with C. Rice.jpeg|thumb|right|250px|Shaukat Aziz with [[Condoleezza Rice]], 2006]]
Accompanied by [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] of Turkey, Aziz travelled to Iran in 2006, and privately told [[Iranian President]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] he must change course regarding its [[Nuclear program of Iran|nuclear program]], as the current direction was neither in Iran's nor the region's interest.<ref name="Dawn News Archives, 2006">{{cite news|title=2006: Shaukat Aziz told Ahmedinejad to abandon Iran's nuclear weapons program|url=http://dawn.com/2011/07/09/2006-shaukat-aziz-told-ahmedinejad-to-abandon-irans-nuclear-weapons-program/|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103142751/http://dawn.com/2011/07/09/2006-shaukat-aziz-told-ahmedinejad-to-abandon-irans-nuclear-weapons-program/|archive-date=3 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Aziz urged Ahmadinejad to immediately place a moratorium on [[uranium enrichment]], while on the other hand Erdoğan described the EU-3 proposal, with Russian enhancements, as a very attractive offer for Iran.<ref name="Dawn News Archives, 2006"/> Both Aziz and Erdoğan condemned Ahmedinejad's statements attacking Israel as completely unacceptable and serving no purpose.<ref name="Dawn News Archives, 2006"/> Aziz's tenure saw considerable improvements in [[Pakistan-Japan relations|relations]] with Japan. After visiting Japan, Aziz welcomed investment in the manufacturing sector and Pakistani-Japanese joint ventures in steel manufacturing as an excellent symbol of cooperation in expanding steel production between the two countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Steel mill project to be operative in two years'|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\13\story_13-5-2007_pg5_3|work=Daily Times|access-date=30 May 2012}}</ref>

Aziz paid a farewell visit to South Korea to strengthen and enhance [[Pakistan–South Korea relations|relations]] between the two countries.<ref name="Daily Times, September 29, 2005">{{cite news|last=Shahzad Raza|title=PM's visit to South Korea: Shaukat Aziz will sign accords on assistance and development|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_29-9-2005_pg7_35|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|date=29 September 2005|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021163234/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_29-9-2005_pg7_35|archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> Aziz cautiously supported South Korea's stance while refraining to criticise North Korea.<ref name="Daily Times, September 29, 2005"/> On a three-day state visit, Aziz and his counterpart [[Lee Hae Chan]] signed two agreements on cultural exchange and providing human resource management, and improving trade and cultural ties between South Korea and Pakistan.<ref name="Daily Times, September 29, 2005"/> Aziz strongly allied with the United States in the fight against terrorism, and in a meeting with an American journalist, Aziz maintained that: "Pakistan is now ideally positioned to "work with cooperation rather than confrontation as a force for peace, stability, and prosperity."<ref name="Daily Princeton">{{cite web|title=Pakistan is a U.S. ally, prime minister says|url=http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2006/11/10/16518/|work=Daily Princeton|access-date=30 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515145043/http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2006/11/10/16518/|archive-date=15 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> During his tenure, relations with the United States strengthened and progressed.<ref name="Daily Times, Thursday, March 09, 2006">{{cite news|title=Pak-US relations are long-lasting, says Shaukat|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\03\09\story_9-3-2006_pg7_53|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|date=9 March 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004215517/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C03%5C09%5Cstory_9-3-2006_pg7_53|archive-date=4 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, Aziz quoted: "Pakistan-American relations are based on mutual trust and respect and are long-standing."<ref name="Daily Times, Thursday, March 09, 2006"/> During his repeated visits to the United States, Aziz worked and deliberately approached the U.S. administration on building a strategic partnership with the United States, and made efforts to build a "robust-broad-based strategic relationship"..<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations"/> Aziz's economic, domestic, and internal reforms focused on enriching a longer-term sustainable Pakistan-U.S. relationship and contributed immeasurably to both countries' joint struggle against extremism.<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations">{{cite web|last=Haas|first=Richard|title=Pakistan-U.S. Relations: Building a Strategic Partnership in the 21st Century|url=http://www.cfr.org/pakistan/pakistan-us-relations-building-strategic-partnership-21st-century-rush-transcript-federal-news-services-inc/p9609|work=Council on Foreign Relations|access-date=30 May 2012|quote=Pakistan has had the distinction of being both the most allied ally and the most sanctioned ally of the United States. However, an enduring feature has been the friendship between the people of our two countries.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703031646/http://www.cfr.org/pakistan/pakistan-us-relations-building-strategic-partnership-21st-century-rush-transcript-federal-news-services-inc/p9609|archive-date=3 July 2011}}</ref>

[[Pakistan - Israeli relations|Relations]] with Israel were considered important by Aziz's government, and supported Musharraf's policy on Israel.<ref name="Asia Tribune">{{cite news|last=Hussain|first=Iqbal|title=Pak denies Aziz's meeting with Israeli FM|url=http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2005/02/02/pak-denies-aziz%E2%80%99s-meeting-israeli-fm|access-date=3 June 2012|newspaper=Asia Tribune|date=2 February 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513150516/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2005/02/02/pak-denies-aziz%E2%80%99s-meeting-israeli-fm|archive-date=13 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> At foreign fronts, Aziz maintained a "''Telephone Policy''"<ref name="Dawn News Archives, September 8, 2005 Thursday">{{cite news|last=Abdul Qadir|title=Aziz briefs more Arab leaders on contact with Israel|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2005/09/08/top3.htm|access-date=3 June 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=8 September 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021153915/http://archives.dawn.com/2005/09/08/top3.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> on diplomatic engagement with Israel, whilst keeping Saudi Arabia and Turkey in tacit contact.<ref name="Dawn News Archives, September 8, 2005 Thursday"/><ref>{{cite news|last=APP|title=Shaukat Aziz telephones Bahrain, Morocco PMs amid Pak-Israel contacts|url=http://paktribune.com/news/Shaukat-Aziz-telephones-Bahrain-Morocco-PMs-amid-Pak-Israel-contacts-118665.html|access-date=3 June 2012|newspaper=Pakistan Tribune|date=11 September 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021162815/http://paktribune.com/news/Shaukat-Aziz-telephones-Bahrain-Morocco-PMs-amid-Pak-Israel-contacts-118665.html|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> During his tenure, [[Pakistan-United Kingdom relations|bilateral relations]] with the United Kingdom were enhanced and reached to a new level after meeting with British prime minister [[Tony Blair]] in 2005, and tightened the economic and defence relations with British counterpart Gordon Brown in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|last=Press Release|title=People of Pakistan have to decide about democracy: Tony Blair|url=http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=136467|access-date=3 June 2012|newspaper=Pakistan Tribune|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021162726/http://www.paktribune.com/news/print.php?id=136467|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Brown thanked Aziz for the successful launching of a $500 million [[Eurobond (international)|Eurobond]], which was oversubscribed four times.<ref name="Daily Times, Saturday, February 14, 2004">{{cite news|last=APP Release|title=Shaukat Aziz meets with Gordon Brown|url=http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_14-2-2004_pg5_2|access-date=3 June 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|date=14 February 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021163607/http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_14-2-2004_pg5_2|archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> After assuming the office of prime minister, Aziz left for China, as his foreign state visit as prime minister in 2004.<ref name="Dawn News Archives, 14 December 2004 Tuesday">{{cite news|last=Bahzad Alam Khan|title=Shaukat Aziz leaves for China today|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2004/12/14/top9.htm|access-date=3 June 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=14 December 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021153921/http://archives.dawn.com/2004/12/14/top9.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2007, Aziz made his final state visit as prime minister to China to sign a [[Free Trade Agreement]]<ref name="India news, Wednesday, April 11, 2007, 15:10 [IST]">{{cite news|last=Martha Stewart|title=Islamabad: Shaukat Aziz to visit China|url=http://news.oneindia.in/2007/04/11/shaukat-aziz-to-visit-china-1176280944.html|access-date=3 June 2012|newspaper=OneIndia|date=11 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513152830/http://news.oneindia.in/2007/04/11/shaukat-aziz-to-visit-china-1176280944.html|archive-date=13 May 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> with China, and regarded the country as a "strategic partner"<ref name="Daily Times, Wednesday, August 08, 2007"/> and a "time-tested friend",<ref name="Daily Times, Wednesday, August 08, 2007"/> whilst China regarded the FTA agreement as "a historic development".<ref name="Daily Times, Wednesday, August 08, 2007">{{cite news|last=Foreign Office of Pakistan|title=Pakistan and China strategic partners, says Shaukat Aziz|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007/08/08/story_8-8-2007_pg7_11|access-date=3 June 2012|newspaper=Daily Times|date=8 August 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021163315/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%2F08%2F08%2Fstory_8-8-2007_pg7_11|archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> Aziz built closer economic ties with India while alleviating the [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|territorial conflicts]]. After meeting with Indian counterpart [[Manmohan Singh]], a confident measuring building process was initiated by Aziz.<ref>{{cite news|last=APP|title=Shaukat Aziz's trip to India|url=http://paktribune.com/speakouts/Shaukat-Azizs-trip-to-India-61.html|access-date=3 June 2012|newspaper=Pakistan Tribune|date=25 November 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128173707/http://paktribune.com/speakouts/Shaukat-Azizs-trip-to-India-61.html|archive-date=28 January 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Aziz pushed his foreign policy to Russia,<ref name="Dawn Archive, January 28, 2006 Saturday"/> calling Russia a "global super power".<ref name="Dawn News Archives">{{cite news|title=Cooperation with Russia increasing, says Aziz|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2006/11/26/top13.htm|access-date=6 June 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=26 November 2006|quote=Pakistan is keen to enhance its bilateral relations with Russia. Russia is a major global super power and we want to have an ongoing dialogue between the two countries on diplomatic, economic and security matters...— Shaukat Aziz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021153919/http://archives.dawn.com/2006/11/26/top13.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, Aziz invited state-run and private-media of Russia where he repeatedly stressed for the need to enhance cooperation between Pakistan and Russia in the fields of education, science and technology, energy, defence and trade and investment.<ref name="Dawn Archive, January 28, 2006 Saturday">{{cite news|last=Our Reporter|title=Aziz wants ties with Russia enhanced|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2006/01/28/top8.htm|access-date=6 June 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=28 January 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021153836/http://archives.dawn.com/2006/01/28/top8.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Finally, in 2007, Russian prime minister [[Mikhail Fradkov]] paid a three-day-long visit to Pakistan, becoming the first Russian prime minister and leader to visit the country in 38 years.<ref name="Dawn News Archives, April 12, 2007 Thursday">{{cite news|last=Akhlaque|first=Qudssia|title=Russian PM Arrives to Pakistan|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2007/04/12/top7.htm|access-date=6 June 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=12 April 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021153911/http://archives.dawn.com/2007/04/12/top7.htm|archive-date=21 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> During this trip, Aziz and Fradkov pledged to boost economic ties and signed two co-operation agreements .<ref name="Gulf News, Pakistan">{{cite news|title=Old Cold War foes Pakistan and Russia pledged to boost economic ties|url=http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=143432&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23|access-date=6 June 2012|newspaper=Gulf News|location=Pakistan|date=13 April 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426045225/http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2|archive-date=26 April 2012}}</ref>

=== Economic policy ===
{{Main|Privatization in Pakistan#Privatization (intensification phase: 1999-2008)|l1=Privatization, Third Phase|Economic liberalisation in Pakistan}}
[[File:Pakistan gdp growth rate.svg|thumb|right|260px|Pakistan's GDP growth rate from the period of nationalisation in the 1970s until the economic boom in 2004–08]]
During his tenure, Aziz aggressively promoted the privatisation, deregulation and economic liberalisation programme and open the large heavy mechanical industries, petroleum companies, electropetroleum and chemical enterprises and state-owned corporations to private sectors.<ref name="Oxford Business Group">{{cite book|last=Oxford Business Group|title=Regrouping Pakistan|year=2008|publisher=Oxford Business Group|location=United States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YuSY8llhkPQC&q=Shaukat+Aziz&pg=PA26|access-date=30 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231221905/http://books.google.com/books?id=YuSY8llhkPQC&pg=PA26&dq=Shaukat+Aziz&hl=en&sa=X&ei=1IXFT5j3D6ipsALPiJjABg&sqi=2&ved=0CEEQuwUwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=true|archive-date=31 December 2013|url-status=live|isbn=9781902339740}}</ref> His tenure as finance minister and prime minister, the agriculture production and construction well increased, whilst aggressively and forcefully implementing his policies to liberalise the trade, and eliminated the non-tariff barriers.<ref name="Oxford Business Group"/> Under his regime, the maximum bound tariffs were brought down to high as 300% to 25% whilst the applied tariff averages falls in the range of 5% to 10%.<ref name="Oxford Business Group"/>
[[File:Poverty in Pakistan.jpg|left|thumb|260px|The poverty alleviation programme performances indicates Aziz's successful implementation of his policies.]]
GDP growth, which was at 3.9% in October 1999, stood between 6.6% and 9%. He successfully privatised all state-owned corporations and state enterprises before completing his term.<ref name="Public Affairs TM">{{cite book|last=Lieven|first=Anatol|title=Pakistan: A Hard Country|publisher=Public Affairs TM|location=United States|isbn=978-1-61039-021-7|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fEZt49MVZIAC&q=Shaukat+Aziz+economy&pg=PA70|edition=1|access-date=30 May 2012|chapter=Peoples, Land, and Politics|year=2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231221853/http://books.google.com/books?id=fEZt49MVZIAC&pg=PA70&dq=Shaukat+Aziz+economy&hl=en&sa=X&ei=54XFT42xBoiqsAL0xpW7Bg&ved=0CF4QuwUwBw#v=onepage&q=Shaukat%20Aziz%20economy&f=true|archive-date=31 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Aziz's strategy failed deal with underlying problems deeply in country's economy.<ref name="Public Affairs TM"/> The [[Great Recession]] led to a sharp drop in the country's economy while an acute electricity shortage in the country revealed the incompetence by the Peoples Party's government, but also the failure of his government to develop the necessary energy infrastructure on time.<ref name="Public Affairs TM"/>

Political economists, however, gave other side of story by arguing that his policies were not aimed at alleviating poverty as he seldom offered relief to the poor sections of the society. Shaukat Aziz is roundly criticized for his policy of downsizing in the [[public sector]] and disintegrating the effects of nationalisation policies of [[Benazir Bhutto]] as early as the 1990s but Aziz defended as he points out that his policies made these institutions viable while they were on the verge of collapse. [[S. Akbar Zaidi]] argues that his policies mastered Pakistan's economy but such indicators are misleading and unsustainable because his policies do not examine or explain the particular, perplexing economy of Pakistan.<ref name="Dawn News, 2011">{{cite news|last=Zaidi|first=S. Akbar|title=Perplexing economy|url=http://dawn.com/2011/11/25/perplexing-economy/|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Dawn|date=25 November 2011|location=Pakistan|quote=-Shaukat Aziz economic team were masters. However, such indicators are misleading and unsustainable because they do not examine or explain the particular, perplexing economy of Pakistan. Some good research highlighting what makes Pakistan's economy run in the first place is a minimum starting point to revive Pakistan's economy. There is great need for some unconventional wisdom.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611181950/http://dawn.com/2011/11/25/perplexing-economy/|archive-date=11 June 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Privitization ====
An unsuccessful attempt to privatise the [[Pakistan Steel Mills]] was also thwarted by trade unions and pro-nationalization elements who took the case to [[Supreme Court of Pakistan]] in 2006. But Aziz said that his privatisation program produced "the second fastest growing economy in the world."<ref name="BBC Pakistan, Malcolm Borthwick">{{cite news|last=Malcolm Borthwick|title=Pakistan steels itself for sell-offs|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5007680.stm|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=BBC Pakistan|date=1 June 2006|quote=Pakistan has had the most broad-based structural reform of any country in Asia. Last year, we were the second fastest growing economy in the world after China. We grew at 8.4%|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510094309/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5007680.stm|archive-date=10 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Public image ==
A banker and financier by training and extensive experience in the United States, Aziz's credentials are extremely high and considered one of the successful finance minister of Pakistan.<ref name="Free Press (publisher)"/> His credential records are similar to those of the successful US treasury secretaries such as [[Bob Rubin]] and [[Nicholas F. Brady]] who did well under Clinton and Reagan administrations.<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations"/> He understands the role of banking, finance, investment and consumer credit in economic growth of a nation.<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations"/> Aziz presided the strong banking sector, unprecedented investment and growth finance sectors in Pakistan to underpin its economy.<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations"/> He strengthened capital availability, an essential and increasingly important economic input, in addition to labour and land improvements.<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations"/> With higher education budget up 15-fold and overall education spending up 36% in two years, he focused on education to improve the availability of skilled labour to fill new jobs.<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations"/>

{{quote box |quote =  As Prime minister and as well as finance minister, Aziz did extraordinarily well&nbsp;... statistics on Pakistan's economic growth has now grown at 8.4%— the second fastest growing economy in the world after China|source= — Richard Haas, 2006|<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations"/> }}

Aziz aggressively pushed land development and public and private construction spending to improve infrastructure and facilities to attract greater business investment.<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations"/> The international communities regarded Aziz as a reformer, with Pakistan's structural reforms ranking high amongst emerging economies.<ref name="Council on Foreign Relations"/> Aziz co-chaired the Secretary-General's High Level Panel on the United Nations System-wide Coherence in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment. Aziz oversaw the success of the privatisation programme in Pakistan and most of the proceeds so far have come from the telecom and banking sectors, around 80% of Pakistan's banking sector was put under the private hands.<ref name="BBC Pakistan, Malcolm Borthwick"/>

{{quote box |quote=Nothing is sacred, we are packaging up our companies |source= — Prime minister Shaukat Aziz, 2006|<ref name="BBC Pakistan, Malcolm Borthwick"/>}}

The BBC noted that the privatisation programme, initiated by Nawaz Sharif in 1990, picked up from a jog to a sprint under watchful eyes of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. The prime minister is considered the chief architect of privatisation and is widely respected among foreign investors.<ref name="BBC Pakistan, Malcolm Borthwick"/> In an interview with BBC, Aziz mentioned Pakistan's economic growth as he puts it:

{{blockquote|text=Pakistan has had the most broad-based structural reform of any country in Asia. Last year, we were the second fastest growing economy in the world after China. We grew at 8.4%....|sign=Shaukat Aziz, 2006|source=<ref name="BBC Pakistan, Malcolm Borthwick"/>}}

In 2008, Aziz participated in the Global Creative Leadership Summit, organised by the [[Louise Blouin]] Foundation. As a delegate, he delivered a keynote speech for the panel entitled "Economic Crisis, Economics of Change: Credit, Commodities, and Trade."

== Post-premiership ==
Shaukat Aziz currently resides in West London, United Kingdom. He serves on a number of boards and advisory boards including [[Millennium & Copthorne Hotels|Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.millenniumhotels.com/corporate/investor_relations/board_members.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=31 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416110011/http://www.millenniumhotels.com/corporate/investor_relations/board_members.html |archive-date=16 April 2010 }}</ref> and [[The Blackstone Group]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/firm_leadership_advisoryboard.htm |title=International Advisory Board |access-date=10 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219022248/http://www.blackstone.com/cps/rde/xchg/bxcom/hs/firm_leadership_advisoryboard.htm |archive-date=19 December 2011 }}</ref> According to Aziz, he has maintained good relations with several members of his government and the members of the [[Pakistan Parliament|Parliament]] including his former foreign minister [[Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri|Khurshid Kasuri]] and the former railways minister [[Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad|Sheikh Rasheed]] and his party president [[Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain]].<ref name="Daily Times, Sunday, June 28, 2009"/> In the midst of 2009, the polls performed by various news agencies, Aziz's approval rating ranged from 30.7%,<ref name="Election Commission of Pakistan"/> but ratings dramatically fell down to 17.3%<ref name="Election Commission of Pakistan"/> in the end of 2009.<ref name="Election Commission of Pakistan"/> In 2012, in polls managed by various news surveys, Aziz's popularity approval ratings ranged at 20.5%.<ref name="Election Commission of Pakistan">{{cite press release|title=Popular Ratings of Shaukat Aziz|url=http://electionsmeter.com/polls/shaukat-aziz|publisher=Election Commission of Pakistan|access-date=3 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408000407/http://electionsmeter.com/polls/shaukat-aziz|archive-date=8 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Aziz remained active in political arena of the country and has vigorously defended his financial policies. Aziz criticised the care-taker government of [[Muhammad Mian Soomro]] for the economic collapse, and predicted that, "the [[2013 Pakistani general election|next elections]] will sweep, paving the way for a two-party system to emerge with the [[Pakistan Muslim League (N)|Pakistan Muslim League]] in the government and the [[Pakistan Peoples Party|Peoples Party]] in the opposition".<ref name="Dawn Archives, June 05, 2008 Thursday">{{cite news|last=M. Ziauddin|title=Aziz blames caretakers for most economic woes|url=http://archives.dawn.com/2008/06/05/top4.htm|access-date=12 June 2012|newspaper=Dawn|location=Pakistan|date=5 June 2008 |quote=Nawaz Sharif will soon pull the plug on Asif Ali Zardari and force a fresh election which he will sweep, paving the way for a two-party system to emerge with the PML-N in the government and the PPP in the opposition, predicted former prime minister Shaukat Aziz}}</ref>

He remains active on economic issues and harshly criticised the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) for failing to show leadership during the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref name="Daily Times, Friday, October 17, 2008">{{cite web|title=IMF missing in financial crisis: Shaukat Aziz|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\10\17\story_17-10-2008_pg5_7|work=Daily Times |date=17 October 2008|access-date=30 May 2012}}</ref> While attending the international business conference at Philippines, Aziz maintained that: "This global institution (IMF) which is supposed to look at everything going on was not even in the room where meetings are going on".<ref name="Daily Times, Friday, October 17, 2008"/>

=== Legal case ===
On 30 October 2011, Aziz directed a letter sent from Dubai to the Provincial Police Office to [[Balochistan]] High Court stating "he had been mentioned in the FIR registered at the Dera Bugti Police Station on 13 October 2009, which alleged that then president Pervez Musharraf used him as part of Akbar Bugti case in which the latter committed suicide during a military operation.".<ref name="The Express Tribune, November 3, 2011">{{cite news|last=Shehzad Baloch|title=Akbar Bugti killing: Shaukat Aziz denies prior knowledge of operation|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/286890/akbar-bugti-killing-shaukat-aziz-denies-prior-knowledge-of-operation/|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=3 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418022635/http://tribune.com.pk/story/286890/akbar-bugti-killing-shaukat-aziz-denies-prior-knowledge-of-operation/|archive-date=18 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Aziz maintained that he was informed of "unfortunate event" through the televised media.<ref name="The Express Tribune, November 3, 2011"/> Aziz later stated in television that Akbar Bugti died in a military operation during the night of 25/26 August 2008.<ref name="The Express Tribune, November 3, 2011"/>

== Wealth ==
On 5 November 2017, Aziz appeared on the [[Paradise Papers]] leaks.<ref name="GEO News, November 05, 2017">{{cite news|last=GEO News|title=Pakistanis names in Paradise papers|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/166213|newspaper=Geo News|date=5 November 2017|access-date=5 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105204535/https://www.geo.tv/amp/166213|archive-date=5 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The leaks claimed that he was linked with the Antarctic Trust, which was set up by Aziz himself. This trust was neither declared by him as [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|prime minister]] nor as [[Finance Minister of Pakistan|finance minister]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Paradise Papers: ICIJ names Pakistanis Shaukat Aziz and Ayaz Khan Niazi|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/166213-two-pakistanis-named-in-paradise-leaks|access-date=5 November 2017|work=[[Geo TV]]|date=5 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171105204620/https://www.geo.tv/latest/166213-two-pakistanis-named-in-paradise-leaks|archive-date=5 November 2017}}</ref> Aziz, a former Citibank executive, told the [[International Consortium of Investigative Journalists|ICIJ]] he had set the trust up for [[estate planning]] purposes and that the funds had come from his employment at Citibank. An internal Appleby document raised concerns about warrants issued for him in connection with the killing of a local leader. Aziz dismissed both the murder charge and the allegations of financial impropriety.<ref name=explore>{{cite web|url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/paradise-papers/explore-politicians-paradise-papers/|title=Explore The Politicians in the Paradise Papers|date=5 November 2017 |publisher=ICIJ|access-date=6 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106011937/https://www.icij.org/investigations/paradise-papers/explore-politicians-paradise-papers/|archive-date=6 November 2017}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
* Aziz, Shaukat (2016). ''[[From Banking to the Thorny World of Politics]]''

==See also==
* [[List of prime ministers of Pakistan]]
* [[:Category:Government of Shaukat Aziz|Government of Shaukat Aziz]]
** [[Privatization in Pakistan]]
** [[Corporate sector of Pakistan|Market corporatisation]]
* [[2008 Pakistani parliamentary election]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3941185.stm Profile] by [[BBC]] dated 30 July 2004

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ishaq Dar]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Finance Minister of Pakistan|Minister of Finance]]|years=1999–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Salman Shah (economist)|Salman Shah]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Pakistan]]|years=2004–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Muhammad Mian Soomro]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{PakistaniPMs}}
{{Finance Minister of Pakistan}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aziz, Shaukat}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Pakistani bankers]]
[[Category:Muhajir people]]
[[Category:Pakistani financiers]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Ministers of finance of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pakistani MNAs 2002–2007]]
[[Category:Pakistan Muslim League (Q) MNAs]]
[[Category:Citigroup people]]
[[Category:Institute of Business Administration, Karachi alumni]]
[[Category:St. Patrick's High School, Karachi alumni]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Karachi]]
[[Category:Government Gordon College alumni]]
[[Category:People named in the Paradise Papers]]
[[Category:Politicians from Karachi]]
[[Category:Pakistani emigrants to the United Kingdom]]