Sharif says no to Pak presidential post

Reacting to reports that he could be made president as part of efforts by the PML-N and Pakistan People's Party to form the new government after the February 18 polls, Sharif said he was not a candidate for the post.

The PML-N had assured the PPP of its complete support in forming government at the centre, the former premier said. "We have assured (PPP co-chairman) Asif Ali Zardari of our full cooperation whether the PML-N becomes part of the government or not," Sharif said.

"We will only become part of government when Musharraf quits the office of president," he said.

The PML-N and PPP, which swept the polls, have agreed to form government with the backing of the Awami National Party, which draws its support from the Pashtuns of northwestern

Pakistan, and independent candidates.

The three parties held a show of strength yesterday and Sharif repeated his call for Musharraf to accept the people's verdict and step down.

The PML-N's top leadership announced earlier this week that the party will not seek berths in the federal cabinet as their members did not want to be administered oath of office by Musharraf, whose ouster has been listed as a priority by Sharif.

Sharif, who was deposed by Musharraf in 1999, said there was a possibility that the future president could be chosen from the leadership of the All Parties Democratic Movement, a coalition of opposition parties including the Jamaat-e-Islami that boycotted the polls. He said a "newly elected president" was a must to strengthen democracy in the country.

He demanded action against army dictators who had violated the Constitution.

Without naming Musharraf, he said a person responsible for suspending and arresting serving judges, restricting the media and dissolving an elected government could not be "a viable working partner" in government.