As tensions between India and Pakistan grew following the terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returned to Pakistan from London. According to The Express Tribune, he came back to guide his younger brother, current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during the ongoing crisis.
Nawaz Advises Diplomacy Over Aggression
Soon after reaching Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif was briefed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif about the outcomes of the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting. The meeting was held in response to India’s decision to halt the Indus Waters Treaty. Nawaz advised that the government should act diplomatically to calm the situation rather than take a confrontational path.
The Express Tribune quoted sources saying that Nawaz wanted the ruling PML-N coalition to “utilise all available diplomatic resources to restore peace” between the two nuclear-armed nations. He reportedly made it clear he was not in favour of any aggressive stance.
Nawaz Sharif Reflects on Past Conflicts with India
This is not the first time Nawaz Sharif has called for peaceful relations with India. Back in 2023, he openly spoke about why his government was overthrown in 1999, hinting that it was due to his opposition to the Kargil War.
“I want to know why my governments were overthrown in 1993 and 1999. Was it because we opposed the Kargil war,” Nawaz had said, according to The News International. He pointed out that PML-N often governed successfully but was repeatedly removed from office.
Admitting Fault Over Kargil Conflict
Nawaz Sharif also admitted that Pakistan had violated an agreement with India in 1999. Referring to the Lahore Declaration, signed with then-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he said:
“On May 28, 1998, Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. After that Vajpayee Saheb came here and made an agreement with us. But we violated that agreement…it was our fault,” he stated.
The Lahore Declaration, signed on February 21, 1999, aimed to promote peace and stability between the two countries. However, shortly after this, Pakistani troops infiltrated Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir, triggering the Kargil War.
