Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has publicly acknowledged Pakistan's violation of the Lahore agreement, which he co-signed with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999. Sharif indirectly attributed the responsibility for the Kargil misadventure to General Pervez Musharraf, characterizing it as an error on Pakistan's part. The Lahore Declaration, a significant diplomatic milestone, was signed on February 21, 1999, during the Lahore summit, signaling a potential thaw in relations between India and Pakistan. However, just a few months later, Pakistan's intrusion into the Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir reignited tensions and led to the outbreak of the Kargil War.
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif. (PTI)
Sharif’s Comments
In a meeting with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) general council, Sharif admitted, “On May 28, 1998, Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. After that, [then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari] Vajpayee Saheb came here and made an agreement with us. But we violated that agreement…it was our fault.”
What Lahore declaration aimed at
The primary aim of the Lahore Declaration was to foster peace and stability between India and Pakistan. “The Prime Ministers of the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, sharing a vision of peace and stability between their countries, and of progress and prosperity for their peoples, convinced that durable peace and development of harmonious relations and friendly cooperation will serve the vital interests of the peoples of the two countries,” read the text of the declaration.
Additionally, New Delhi and Islamabad had pledged to swiftly implement measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons. These commitments were part of broader confidence-building initiatives agreed upon between the two nations.
The agreement stressed on:
Resolution of Kashmir Issue: Both nations have committed to intensifying efforts to address the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir issue.
Terrorism: In a resolute stance, leaders from both India and Pakistan reiterated their firm condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, emphasizing their shared determination to combat this pervasive threat.
Nuclear Weapons: India and Pakistan have affirmed their unwavering dedication to swiftly implement measures aimed at reducing the risk of unintended or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons. This underscores the importance of collaborative confidence-building measures to bolster regional security. Additionally, both countries have reiterated their commitment to nuclear disarmament and preventing proliferation.
Focus on Dialogue: With a renewed focus on dialogue, both nations have agreed to enhance the diplomatic process, aiming to expedite progress on the bilateral agenda and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
SAARC Goals: The joint declaration reaffirms the commitment of both India and Pakistan to the objectives of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), emphasizing the shared goal of promoting economic growth, social progress, and cultural development to improve the well-being of the South Asian populace.
Protection of Human Rights: Both countries have pledged to uphold and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.
How Pakistan Violated the Pact
Following the historic signing of the Lahore Declaration in 1999, aimed at fostering peace between India and Pakistan, tensions flared as Pakistan launched an incursion into the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Pervez Musharraf. Operation Badr sought to seize control of Indian Army posts vacated for winter, with the objective of isolating India's presence in the region and pressuring for a resolution to the Kashmir conflict. In response, the Indian Air Force swiftly deployed to reclaim the posts, encountering Pakistani Army personnel among the intruders, leading to the initiation of Operation Vijay by the Indian Army.
The conflict, which unfolded between May and July 1999, marked the sole instance of a conventional war between two nuclear-armed nations, India and Pakistan. The Kargil conflict resulted in significant military casualties on both sides and heightened tensions between the neighboring countries, disrupting the peace process initiated by the Lahore Declaration. The breach of the declaration underscored the deep-rooted mistrust and animosity in the India-Pakistan relationship, exacerbating longstanding tensions.
What Else did Sharif Say?
On the day Pakistan marked the 26th anniversary of its first nuclear tests, Sharif also mentioned that former US President Bill Clinton had offered $5 billion to Pakistan to stop it from carrying out the nuclear tests. “Had (former prime minister) Imran Khan-like person been in my seat he would have accepted Clinton’s offer,” he said.
Sharif said he was removed from the office of the prime minister in 2017 on a false case by Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar. He claimed all cases against him were false but all against Imran Khan were true.
He also alleged that the ISI had a role to play in bringing Imran Khan to power. He asked Khan not to blame them for being patronized by the army but to declare whether General Islam had any role in bringing his party to power. He also claimed that General Islam asked him to resign from the post of prime minister in 2014, but he refused. He said that the general then threatened to make an example out of him.
Conclusion
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif's public acknowledgment of Pakistan's violation of the Lahore Agreement raises speculation about the intentions behind this admission. Some speculate that it could signal an attempt to mend relations with India, while others suggest it might be a strategic move to seek financial assistance from international organizations like the UN and World Bank. However, skepticism persists, with doubts about Pakistan's sincerity given its history of duplicity and support for terrorism against India. Despite the acknowledgment, many remain cautious, emphasizing that Pakistan's track record of betrayal and fostering terrorism undermines any trust-building efforts between the two nations.
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