Coalition govt possible even if PML-N wins: Sharif

Sharif, who has been barred from contesting elections, parried questions on who will be the prime ministerial candidate if his party wins the elections, indicating that he could be one and enter the National Assembly through by-elections.

"Why not? Let the Opposition of the country move together to the road of democracy and also rid the country of the curse of dictatorship. All of us can do a better job rather than doing it single-handedly," he was quoted as saying in an interview.

The Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader said he would not work with President Pervez Musharraf if his party comes to power.

"There is not doubt that Musharraf is not a solution to any problem, but is a biggest problem himself. Thus, there is no question of working with him," Sharif said when asked if he would work with Musharraf.

"He has to go. The countrymen also want this. Ask anyone about this, all have one thing to say - now Musharraf should go back home, put an end to this ... How much Pakistan will be destroyed and bled," Sharif said.

"The fire is raging in Pakistan, there is great chaos and there is an atmosphere of extreme anxiety. This all can come to end, if Musharraf spares the country," he said.

The former Prime Minister claimed that Bhutto's letter had Musharraf as fourth in the list of persons, who she said would be responsible if "something happens to her".

He ruled out the possibility of an independent and fair probe into the assassination under the Musharraf regime which had removed the Supreme Court Chief Justice.

But, he said if judiciary is restored and probe is handed over to it, then fair investigation may be possible.

Criticising Musharraf for not providing adequate security cover to Bhutto, the PML(N) leader held his regime responsible for her death.

"You know, even I know, that in this assassination, the policies of government had role to a great extent," he said.

"Musharraf spends crores on his own security and did not provide even one bullet-proof vehicle to her. How one arranges for his own security is not his headache," Sharif said.

He emphasised that had the security arrangement been enough, the shooter would not have dared to go with the gun and would have been caught before he fired.

Sharif said Bhutto had a strong apprehension of rigging in the elections by the military regime and wanted to work out a strategy with him to foil it.