Nawaz Sharif Admits Pakistan Violated Agreement with India
30.05.2024: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has admitted that Pakistan violated an agreement with India, which was signed by him and former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999. This admission appears to reference the Kargil conflict initiated by Gen Pervez Musharraf.
Lahore Declaration of 1999
On February 21, 1999, Nawaz Sharif and Atal Bihari Vajpayee signed the Lahore Declaration after a historic summit in Lahore. This agreement aimed to foster peace and stability between the two nations. However, just months later, the Kargil conflict erupted due to Pakistani intrusion in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kargil district.
Admission of Fault
In a recent meeting of the PML-N general council, where he was re-elected as president of the ruling party, Nawaz Sharif acknowledged Pakistan’s breach of the Lahore Declaration. “It was our fault,” Sharif admitted, highlighting the violation of the agreement.
Context of Nuclear Tests
Sharif also reflected on Pakistan’s decision to conduct five nuclear tests on May 28, 1998. He mentioned that President Bill Clinton had offered Pakistan USD 5 billion to halt the tests, an offer he refused. Sharif contrasted his decision with what he suggested would have been a different choice by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Political Turmoil and Personal Struggles
Sharif, who was removed from office in 2017 following a Supreme Court ruling, asserted that the charges against him were false. He criticized the role of former ISI chief Gen Zahirul Islam in the events leading to his ousting and the rise of Imran Khan’s PTI party. Sharif claimed Gen Islam pressured him to resign in 2014, threatening severe consequences if he refused.
Loyalty and Party Strengthening
Sharif praised his brother, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for his unwavering loyalty. He revealed that efforts were made to create rifts between them, but Shehbaz stood by him. Nawaz Sharif vowed to strengthen the PML-N after reassuming leadership of the party.
Nawaz Sharif’s admission of violating the Lahore Declaration highlights a critical moment in India-Pakistan relations. As he returns to the helm of the PML-N, Sharif’s reflections on past events and future goals indicate a renewed effort to navigate Pakistan’s complex political landscape.