The Shimla Agreement, signed on July 2, 1972, between India and Pakistan, was envisioned as a cornerstone for lasting peace in South Asia following the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. The treaty emphasized bilateral resolution of disputes, respect for the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, and the repatriation of prisoners of war (POWs). However, over the decades, Pakistan’s actions have repeatedly deviated from the treaty’s principles, undermining regional stability and perpetuating hostility. This article examines Pakistan’s violations of the Shimla Agreement, its failure to uphold commitments to peace, and the troubling treatment of its own POWs that followed the 1971 conflict.

The Shimla Agreement: Broken Promises

The Shimla Treaty’s core objectives included:

1. Renouncing armed conflict and resolving disputes through peaceful dialogue.

2. Maintaining the sanctity of the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

3. Repatriating 93,000 Pakistani POWs held by India.

While India upheld its obligations by returning POWs and engaging in diplomacy, Pakistan’s conduct has been marred by consistent breaches.

1. Cross-Border Aggression and Proxy Warfare

Despite pledging to resolve disputes bilaterally, Pakistan pursued a policy of covert warfare in Kashmir. By training and arming militant groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Pakistan violated the treaty’s spirit of non-interference. The Kargil War of 1999—a blatant incursion across the LoC—exemplified Islamabad’s disregard for the Shimla Agreement, triggering a conflict that nearly escalated into nuclear war.

2. Sabotaging Bilateral Dialogue

Pakistan’s insistence on internationalizing the Kashmir issue, contrary to Shimla’s bilateral framework, further eroded trust. Its reliance on third-party mediation (e.g., appeals to the UN or the U.S.) undermined the treaty’s foundational principle of direct negotiation.

The Forgotten Prisoners of War: A Stain on Pakistan’s Conscience

The fate of Pakistani POWs after the 1971 war remains one of the darkest chapters in the conflict’s aftermath. While India repatriated most prisoners by 1974, Pakistan’s handling of its own soldiers and officials revealed systemic apathy and denial.

1. Abandonment and Denial

Pakistan’s military regime, led by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, initially refused to acknowledge 195 POWs accused of war crimes by Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan). Islamabad dismissed allegations of atrocities committed by its army during the 1971 genocide, leaving these prisoners in legal limbo. Families of POWs protested for years, accusing the state of abandoning its soldiers to avoid accountability.

2. Mistreatment and Disillusionment

Contrary to international norms, Pakistan failed to rehabilitate repatriated POWs. Many were stigmatized as “traitors” for surrendering in East Pakistan, denied pensions, and ostracized by the military establishment. In contrast, Indian authorities reported that some Pakistani POWs chose to stay in India or migrate to third countries, disillusioned by their government’s indifference.

3. Delayed Repatriation Tactics

Pakistan delayed the POW repatriation process by linking it to unrelated political demands, such as India’s recognition of Bangladesh. This tactic prolonged the suffering of prisoners and their families, violating the Shimla Agreement’s humanitarian provisions.

Pakistan’s Attitude: A Pattern of Defiance

Pakistan’s actions post-Shimla reflect a broader pattern of prioritizing hostility over reconciliation:

- Support for Terrorism: State-sponsored militancy in Kashmir and attacks like the 2008 Mumbai siege highlight Pakistan’s use of asymmetric warfare to destabilize India.