'Our fault...we violated it': Pakistan's ex-PM Nawaz Sharif 's confession on breach of 1999 Lahore Declaration

Pakistan's move came as a 'shock' to India, especially as the prime ministers of India and Pakistan, who had jointly signed the historic Lahore Declaration, aiming for peace between the two nations.

This rare acknowledgment comes 25 years after the war that was thrust on India by Pakistan.

As many as 527 Indian soldiers laid down their lives and nearly 1,300 sustained injuries to defend Indian borders against the invading Pakistani forces, which eventually bit dust.

"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," Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday, May 28, during a meeting of the PML-N general council.

What was the 1999 Lahore Declaration?

In 1998, India and Pakistan conducted their own nuclear tests, triggering global concerns over the long-standing tensions between the neighbouring nations.

Backed by the international community, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took the momentous decision to journey to Pakistan and sign the historic Lahore Declaration with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999.

This declaration outlined crucial steps for both countries to enhance bilateral relations and address unresolved issues, notably the Kashmir conflict.

The 1999 Lahore Declaration articulated various objectives, with both nations agreeing to reaffirm their dedication to the principles and goals of the United Nations Charter, as well as their resolve to uphold the Simla Agreement in both its letter and spirit.

What were the key pointers of the 1999 Lahore Declaration?

Nuclear and Conventional Safety: Both India and Pakistan stressed the urgency of taking immediate measures to ensure the safe and authorized utilization of nuclear energy while minimizing the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons.

Kashmir Issue: India and Pakistan mutually agreed to intensify their diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving all conflicts pertaining to Kashmir through appropriate diplomatic channels.

Confidence-Building Measures: The two nations also committed to maintaining open channels of communication and engaging in structured dialogues to address all concerns, fostering mutual trust and confidence.

Commitment to Multilateralism: Nawaz Sharif and Atal Bihar Vajpayee reiterated their commitment to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), a multilateral organization aimed at enhancing the welfare of the people in South Asia.

Terrorism: The Lahore Declaration stressed the necessity for stringent actions against all entities involved in terrorism, regardless of its forms and manifestations.

The then PMs of India and Pakistan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif, signed the Lahore Declaration which was signed in February 1999.

However, some months later, the Pakistani forces started their movements in Kargil in May 1999.

After over two months of brutal conflict, the Indian forces successfully recaptured the vital peaks, thrashing Pakistan with yet another humiliating defeat.