The Sindh chapter of the
Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has said that Gen Anthony
Zinni's book has given a lie to the claims made by the
military elite on Nawaz Sharif's alleged role in the Kargil
fiasco.
In a joint statement, PML-N
leaders Imdad Hussein Chandio, Saleem Zia and Mamnoon
Hussein said that, according to Gen Zinni, Mr Sharif on
June 24, 1999, had rejected his and his president's wish
that the Pakistani forces immediately retreat on the Kargil
front.
"But because of Gen
Pervez Musharraf's efforts Mr Sharif decided, after meeting
President Clinton and according to the wishes of the Pakistani
army, to let a retreat begin," said the statement.
Mr Sharif's decision was
later portrayed by the Pakistani army as a consequence
of the-then premier's weak policies and the failure of
his diplomatic efforts. "The aim of all this was
to malign the political leadership and to make the military
a 'sacred cow' in the eyes of the Pakistanis."
According to Gen Zinni's
book Battle Ready, soon after India had detonated some
nuclear devices, Mr Sharif had refused to allow an American
delegation, which included Gen Zinni himself, from visiting
the country, said the statement.
"Later, however, the
American authorities contacted the-then Pakistani army
chief, Gen Jahangir Karamat, on whose insistence the American
delegation was allowed to come. But despite the visit,
Mr Sharif had ordered the testing of the Pakistani nuclear
devices, according to the wishes of the people."
The Pakistani political
leadership understood the people's feelings well, said
the statement. "That's why Mr Sharif had laid the
foundations of a friendly policy towards India on the
basis of equality."
At the time Mr Sharif had
promised that all the outstanding problems with India,
including Kashmir, would be resolved on the basis of equality.
"Even this was viewed by the military elite as being
against their interests," added the statement.
