Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has admitted that Pakistan violated the Lahore agreement that he and Atal Bihari Vajpayee signed in 1999, and indirectly referred to the Kargil misadventure by General Pervez Musharraf as his country’s “fault”.
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.”
The Lahore Declaration, signed on February 21, 1999, was a significant step to thaw the frosty ties between India and Pakistan. The agreement was born out of the summit in Lahore. However, a few months later, Pakistani intrusion in the Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir led to the Kargil War.
What Lahore Declaration Aimed At
The main objective of the Lahore Declaration was to promote 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.
New Delhi and Islamabad also agreed to take immediate steps to reduce the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons, and other confidence-building measures.
The agreement stressed on:
Resolution of Kashmir Issue: Both nations agreed to intensify their efforts to resolve all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Terrorism: Both leaders reaffirmed their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expressed their determination to combat this menace.
Nuclear Weapons: India and Pakistan committed to taking immediate steps to reduce the risk of accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons. The declaration emphasised the importance of mutually agreed confidence-building measures to improve the security environment. The two countries also reiterated their commitment towards nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Focus on Dialogue: It was agreed to intensify the dialogue process for an early and positive outcome of the agreed bilateral agenda.
SAARC Goals: The declaration reaffirmed their commitment to the goals and objectives of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The aim was to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and improve their quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress, and cultural development.
Protection of Human Rights: The declaration also committed both nations to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
How Pakistan Violated the Pact
Shortly after the Lahore Declaration was signed, Pakistan forces, led by Pervez Musharraf infiltrated on Kargil district in Jammu and Kashmir, and took over the Indian Army’s winter vacated posts, as part of Operation Badr. The plan was to cut the link between Kashmir and Ladakh to isolate the Indian Army on the Siachen Glacier, and force India to negotiate a settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
The Indian Airforce was sent to the winter-vacated posts to push back the intruders, who included members of the Pakistani Army. This was followed by Operation Vijay led by the Indian Army.
The war came to an end on July 26, 1999. It is the only instance of a conventional war fought between India and Pakistan — two nuclear armed countries.
The Kargil conflict resulted in significant military casualties and heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The breach of the Lahore Declaration derailed the peace process and deepened the mistrust and hatred that has long cast a spell on the India-Pakistan relationship.
The Lahore Declaration of 1999 is a testament to a moment when India and Pakistan came close to forging a new path towards peace. While its violation led to conflict and mistrust, its objectives remain as relevant as ever. In fact, in 2017, then chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, had asked for the Lahore pact to be revived.
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 to not blame them for being patronised 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.
(With agency inputs)