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During an informal chat with a group of journalists here last night, Sharif was asked if he would favour any move to provide a "safe exit" to Musharraf.
He replied, "I will give you the answer to this question only after February 18." He, however, pointed out that the trial of those who abrogated the country's basic legal framework is a must under Article 6 of the Constitution to "permanently block" martial law in the future.
Article 6 states that any person who abrogates or subverts the constitution by using force or by other unconstitutional means will be guilty of high treason.
Sharif was hopeful that the PML-N and the Pakistan People's Party would form the government in the centre and in the politically crucial Punjab province despite fears of the the poll being rigged.
The PML-N will join hands with the Awami National Party to forge a coalition government in the North West Frontier Province, he said.
"The PML-N, however, will sit in opposition if the PPP and the PML-Q join hands under Musharraf, Sharif said.
Sharif, who was deposed by Musharraf in a bloodless coup in 1999, said only the reinstated members of the judiciary who were deposed during last year's emergency would be in a position to try those who had committed high treason under Article 6 of the constitution.
The two-time premier has vowed that his PML-N party will strive to reinstate the judges who were sacked by Musharraf during the emergency, including former Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
While the PML-N wants the reinstatement of the deposed judges, the PPP has only committed itself to ensuring the independence of the judiciary.
However, Sharif was confident that the PPP would agree to his party's demand.
"It is not only the PML-N but the whole of Pakistan, including the country's civil society, the lawyers' community, the intelligentsia and even the media, that are in unison on the demand for the restoration of the judiciary," he said.
Replying to a question about terrorism in Pakistan, he said "things would get back to normal as soon as Musharraf goes".
He said the US needs to change its policies towards Pakistan and stop supporting a dictator instead of democratic institutions and an independent judiciary.
"Musharraf had terrorised the elected prime minister in 1999, democratic institutions, the superior judiciary, media, lawyers and the civil society during his eight- year rule and was still enjoying the complete backing of the US," Sharif said.
He warned that people would not accept the results if the elections are rigged and would resort to street protests.
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RatingThere must be a fair trial for any dictator meddling with the accepted constitution and Judiciary in any Country.It should be the Mother of of all trials ,so that no body tries to be a dictator in future as done for Saddam.
when i was in graduation,i saw one cinema (sutradharwhen i was in graduation i saw cinema name sutradhar .if you watch the movey you can understand political stragagy of India
yeah ofcourse Sharif , things will come back to normal , because then you will start supporting terrrorists , start infiltrating kashmir again with ur pakistani army regulars , kiiling people in india , yeah that will restore peace in ur country , u r right , and who knows Osama will be inviited to stay at ur house
WITH THE OPPOSITION FRACTURED NOBODY WILL COME TO POWER OTHER THAN THE GENERAL .ELECTIONS PROBABLY WOULD BE RIGGED TO ENSURE THE RULING CLIQUE LEADS THE NATION.IN THE SIXTIES BALLOT BOXES IN KASHMIR FROM STUFFED FROM THE FALSE BOTTOM TO ENSURE THE OFFICIAL CANDIDATE WINS,WHEN THIS WAS HIGH LIGHTED IN THE MEDIA BY THEN PRAJA PARISHID (PARENTAL ORG OF TODAYS BJP)THEY FOUND STACKED UP BALLOT BOXES AT THE BOTTOM.HISTOORY REPEATS ITSELF EVERYWHERE.WHERE THERE IS WILL THERE IS A OR WAY.
Sharif is right in asserting that if returned to power following the February 18 elections, those responsible for subverting the constitution will be tried under the law of the land. Should his party or the coalition of political parties come to power, there will definitely be pressure to try Musharraf. But is it practical in the circumstances prevailing in Pakistan. Sharif should not forget that in the case of Pakistan the army had had the last laugh. The Pak army is not an political army. It has substantive control on country's human and material resources. It is not likely to take the humiliation of one of their former Chief's lying down and will most likely intervene in the name of saving Pakistan from marauding politicins/stability/restoring law and order/curbing corruption and loot by politicians/curbing terrorism or whatever. The wise course for politicians will be to play their cards judiciously and refrain from recklessness. In his ealier tenure Sharif had the taste of his reckless planning. To a large extent politicians themselves are responsible for the repeated interventions by the army. Gen Zia one said, " Don't go by what they say in public. Hear them when they are in my office. They are the ones who encourage the army to step in to save the country." General Musharraf also made similar observations in his autobiography "In the line of fire".
A safe exit for whom, for Musharaff or Sharif?
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