Nawaz Sharif was referring to the 1999 Lahore Agreement. On February 21, 1999, Sharif and former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee signed this agreement, which outlined a vision for peace and stability between the two nations and represented a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. However, just a few months later, the Kargil War erupted due to a Pakistani infiltration in Kargil, Jammu & Kashmir.

The Lahore Agreement was significant for several reasons:

Symbol of Diplomatic Efforts: The Lahore Agreement symbolized the diplomatic efforts of both countries to resolve their longstanding disputes and build trust through dialogue and cooperation.

Vision for Peace: It outlined a vision for peace and stability in the region, emphasizing the need for resolving disputes through peaceful means and promoting people-to-people contacts.

Confidence-Building Measures: The agreement included confidence-building measures such as enhancing bilateral trade, promoting cultural exchanges, and facilitating religious tourism.

Bus Diplomacy: A notable outcome of the Lahore Agreement was the initiation of “bus diplomacy” between India and Pakistan. In February 1999, both countries launched bus services connecting Delhi and Lahore, allowing people to travel between the two cities for the first time in decades.

However, the hopes for peace were short-lived. Just a few months after the signing of the Lahore Agreement, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated dramatically with the outbreak of the Kargil War in May 1999.

The Kargil War was triggered by the infiltration of Pakistani soldiers and militants into Indian-administered territory in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. The intrusion, which caught India by surprise, led to intense fighting between the two countries and resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

The Kargil conflict undermined the spirit of the Lahore Agreement and dealt a severe blow to Indo-Pak relations. It highlighted the fragility of peace efforts in the region and underscored the deep-rooted mistrust and unresolved disputes between the two nations.

In summary, the 1999 Lahore Agreement represented a hopeful moment in Indo-Pak relations, but its potential for fostering lasting peace was overshadowed by the outbreak of the Kargil War, which revealed the enduring complexities and challenges in the relationship between the two countries.

Nawaz Sharif’s Remarks Regarding Pakistan’s Nuclear Program

During the commemoration of Pakistan’s first nuclear test’s 26th anniversary, Nawaz Sharif stated, “Former US President Bill Clinton proposed $5 billion to Pakistan to halt nuclear testing, but I declined. If someone like Imran Khan, the former Pakistan Prime Minister, occupied my position, they would have accepted Clinton’s proposal.”

Nawaz Sharif Returns as PML-N President: Alleges Military Interference