KARACHI, June 13: 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.