‘It was our fault…': Pakistan Violated Peace Agreement with India in 1999, Says Former Pak PM Nawaz Sharif

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In a startling admission, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, acknowledged that Islamabad had violated the 1999 Lahore Declaration, a crucial peace agreement with India aimed at fostering stability and cooperation between the two neighboring countries. 

This revelation came during a gathering of the PML-N general council as Sharif reassumed the presidency of the ruling party, six years after his disqualification by Pakistan's Supreme Court.

"On May 28, 1998, Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. 

After that Vajpayee Saheb came here and agreed with us. But we violated that agreement...it was our fault," said Sharif. 

This candid confession has brought renewed attention to the Lahore Declaration and the events that unfolded shortly after its signing.

The Lahore Declaration

The Lahore Declaration was signed on February 21, 1999, by Nawaz Sharif and then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

The agreement was a significant diplomatic effort aimed at promoting peace, security, and bilateral cooperation between India and Pakistan. 

Here is an excerpt from the peace agreement:

Have agreed that their respective Governments:

1. shall intensify their efforts to resolve all issues, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

2. shall refrain from intervention and interference in each other's internal affairs.

3. shall intensify their composite and integrated dialogue process for an early and positive outcome of the agreed bilateral agenda.

4. shall take immediate steps for reducing the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons and discuss concepts and doctrines with a view to elaborating measures for confidence building in the nuclear and conventional fields, aimed at prevention of conflict.

5. reaffirm their commitment to the goals and objectives of SAARC and to concert their efforts towards the realization of the SAARC vision for the year 2000 and beyond with a view to promoting the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress and cultural development.

6. reaffirm their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and their determination to combat this menace.

7. shall promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

How Pakistan Violated the Lahore Declaration

The Kargil War

Just a few months after the Lahore Declaration, the peace agreement was put to the test. 

In May 1999, Pakistani troops and militants infiltrated the Kargil district in the Indian-administered territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 

This aggressive move led to the Kargil War, a high-altitude conflict that claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers on both sides and shattered the fragile peace process initiated by the Lahore Declaration.

Cross-Border Terrorism

Despite the commitment to resolving the Kashmir issue through peaceful means, Pakistan continued to support and facilitate cross-border infiltration of militants into Jammu and Kashmir. 

This ongoing support for insurgency and terrorism significantly undermined efforts to stabilize the region and exacerbated tensions between India and Pakistan.

Terrorist Attacks

Pakistan-based terrorist groups carried out several high-profile attacks on Indian soil, further straining the bilateral relationship. 

Notable among these were the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament and the 2008 Mumbai attacks, both of which caused significant casualties and drew international condemnation.

Nawaz Sharif's admission of Pakistan's breach of the Lahore Declaration underscores the complex and often fraught nature of Indo-Pak relations. 

The violation of this peace agreement not only led to military conflict but also hindered efforts to achieve lasting stability and cooperation in the region. 

As both countries continue to navigate their turbulent relationship, the lessons from the Lahore Declaration and its aftermath remain critically relevant.

Sharif's candid acknowledgment serves as a reminder of the missed opportunities for peace and the enduring need for dialogue and diplomacy between India and Pakistan. 

The hope remains that future leaders will learn from the past and strive towards a more peaceful and cooperative future for the region.

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