12 June 2004	Saturday	23 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

LAHORE, June 11: Mian Nawaz Sharif had ordered the withdrawal of troops from Kargil because of the alleged blackmail by then army chief Gen Musharraf, a spokesman for the deposed prime minister said on Friday.

At a news conference, Zaeem Qadri said the just published Gen Anthony Zinni's book vindicated the former prime minister's point of view on the subject. He alleged that Kargil plan had been prepared to sabotage the Lahore Declaration issued at the end of then prime minister Vajpayee's visit to Lahore.

Qadri said Mr Sharif was not prepared to accept Indian hegemony but he had staked his popularity and power for an honourable return of troops from Kargil. He said the Kargil plan had dealt a serious moral and military blow to the army.

Mr Sharif's spokesman said Wana operation being carried out allegedly under foreign pressure had also made the army a laughing stock which was being protested at by the nation. He also gave details of how the US had mounted pressure on Mr Sharif to prevent him from carrying out nuclear tests which he had refused to give in to.