May 26, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23,1424

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ISLAMABAD, May 25: Acting president of the Pakistan Muslim League-N Makhdoom Javed Hashmi on Sunday criticised Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, saying his statements against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif were “steeped in insincerity” and were not based on truth.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had earlier stated that the former prime minister was aware about the Kargil operation even before it was staged.

In a statement issued here, Mr Hashmi expressed surprise over Mr Shujaat’s statements, saying that even after the passage of five years after the event, he (Mr Shujaat) was unable to articulate his own views in this regards.

Doubting the truthfulness of Mr Shujaat’s statements, Mr Hashmi asked as to why he had not resigned in protest from his post if he had differences over the issue with Nawaz Sharif. He also questioned the motive for maintaining silence for a long time before making his views public over the Kargil issue.

At the time of the Kargil incident, Mr Sharif had accused the military of not having taken him into confidence about the Kargil operation, which occurred in 1999.