12 January 2004	Monday	19 Ziqa'ad 1424

LAHORE, Jan 11: PML-N patron Nawaz Sharif has alleged the rulers are pushing the country towards civil war by conducting one after another military operations in tribal areas without taking parliament into confidence.

Talking to a party leader over phone from Jeddah on Sunday, the former prime minister said US secretary of state's statement that "Wana operation has been conducted on our suggestion" speaks volumes of the Pakistan's sovereignty situation under Gen Musharraf's rule.

Terming death of four armymen and a tribesman in Wana a national tragedy, he alleged that policies of the present government were converting Pakistan Army into mercenary soldiers.

He was also critical of unilateral ceasefire on the Line of Control where India was taking advantage of the concession and was erecting a fence by violating international law.

He said established national stance on Kashmir was being sacrificed as Islamabad facing isolation on diplomatic front.