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.