Wasim Sajjad served twice as the Acting President of Pakistan during critical political transitions in the 1990s. As the Chairman of the Senate, he constitutionally assumed the role of Acting President when the office became vacant.

First Term: July 18, 1993 – November 14, 1993

Wasim Sajjad first became Acting President after President Ghulam Ishaq Khan resigned amid a political crisis. The standoff between Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had paralyzed the government. With both leaders under pressure from the military and opposition, they stepped down as part of a negotiated settlement.

Sajjad’s role during this period was to ensure constitutional continuity and maintain stability until a new president was elected. His calm and neutral presence helped ease tensions during this volatile time.

Second Term: December 2, 1997 – January 1, 1998

Wasim Sajjad again became Acting President following the resignation of President Farooq Leghari, who stepped down after escalating tensions with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government over judicial and executive powers.

During this brief second term, Pakistan was undergoing significant constitutional and political reforms. The 13th Constitutional Amendment, passed earlier in 1997, had already curtailed the president’s power to dismiss the prime minister and dissolve the National Assembly. Sajjad’s role was to oversee a smooth transfer of power to an elected president under the new political order.

Legacy as Acting President

Though he never served as a full-term president, Wasim Sajjad is remembered for his constitutional expertise, dignified conduct, and non-partisan role during politically sensitive periods. His leadership was crucial in maintaining the rule of law and ensuring the peaceful transition of power at a time when Pakistan faced potential instability.

A senior member of the Pakistan Muslim League and a respected legal mind, Sajjad’s repeated elevation to the presidency reflected the trust placed in him by both the political class and state institutions.