Nawaz Sharif says PML-N will never support any dictator

Amidst mounting speculation about a change of government in Pakistan, main opposition PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif today made it clear that his party will not help "any dictator" in toppling the civilian administration.

The two-time former Premier also sought registration of a 'treason' case against ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who is currently based abroad.

"Let me make it clear that we will not support any dictator for a change of the government or go in for horse-trading to install a new set-up.

"But at the same time I want to tell the government that my party will not support corruption in the name of democracy," Sharif told a news conference here.

He insisted that the Pakistan People's Party-led government at the centre will have to accept the Supreme Court's orders.

"We are with the Supreme Court and not with the government. All those who benefited from the National Reconciliation Ordinance (a graft amnesty issued by Musharraf in 2007) must resign immediately. If they refuse, then they must be shown the door," he said.

Sharif's remarks came against the backdrop of renewed efforts by the apex court to enforce its verdict scrapping the NRO that also benefited PPP chief and President Asif Ali Zardari and thousands of others.

Though the Supreme Court struck down the NRO last year, the government has refused to reopen graft cases in Switzerland against Zardari, saying he enjoys immunity from prosecution by virtue of being President.

Several of Zardari's close aides, including interior minister Rehman Malik and other government functionaries, benefited from the controversial NRO that was promulgated by Musharraf as part of a secret understanding with the PPP.

Sharif claimed that the PPP-led government had helped Musharraf flee the country and demanded the registration of a treason case against the former dictator.

Sharif alleged that Musharraf was also guilty of handing over Pakistani national Aafia Siddiqui to the US.

An American court yesterday sentenced Siddiqui to 86 years in prison for attacking US military personnel in Afghanistan.