PML-N demands independent panel to probes Kargil conflict

, Feb 3:

's main opposition

has stepped up its demand for creation of an independent judicial commission to

the Kargil conflict of 1999 following revelations by retired army officers that former military ruler Pervez Musharraf had masterminded the operation.

"A judicial commission on Kargil should be established without any further delay to bring the facts before the people," said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, a senior leader of the PML-N.

Sharif, the younger brother of PML-N chief and former premier Nawaz Sharif, said Musharraf was blatantly lying about his role in the Kargil operation. There has been a renewed focus on the Kargil conflict since Lt Gen (retired) Shahid Aziz, who headed the analysis wing of the Inter-Services Intelligence in 1999, claimed that Musharraf and three other generals planned and executed the operation while keeping other military commanders in the dark.

Col (retired) Ashfaq Hussain, another former aide to Musharraf, has said that the military ruler flew across the Line of Control in a helicopter and spent a night with Pakistani troops who had intruded into Indian territory weeks before hostilities began in the Kargil sector. Shahbaz Sharif said Musharraf, currently living in self-exile in London and Dubai, must be held accountable. "Musharraf is responsible for destroying Pakistan and history will never forgive him," he said.

"Musharraf will be remembered with reference to the destruction of Pakistan. He pushed Pakistan into suicide attacks and terrorism," Sharif said. Sharif said Pakistan was left alone in the world community due to the Kargil conflict but Nawaz Sharif brought the army out of the operation in a safe manner. "It was Nawaz Sharif who saved Pakistan from isolation after Musharrf's misadventure," he said. Only an independent investigation would reveal the truth about the Kargil operation, he said.

PTI