LAHORE, Aug 23: Expressing concern over the prevailing situation in Pakistan, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif called upon all democratic forces on Monday to join hands for a struggle against the present rulers.

In a statement read to the media by his spokesman, Zaeem Qadri, at a news conference, Mr Sharif said the military leadership was mis characterizing the present system as democratic and making a false claim about its stability.

This was an attempt to mislead the world, he alleged. Mr Sharif said a man who torpedoed the democratic system could not be expected to work for upholding the supremacy of the constitution or parliament.

Overthrown some five years ago, the PML-N leader expressed serious doubts about the government's intentions on the Kashmir issue. Its continued silence on the fence set up by India along the Line of Control gave an impression that it could eventually accept the LoC as an international border, he said, adding that if this happened, it would be the biggest tragedy after the dismemberment of the country.

Defending his tit-for-tat nuclear tests in May 1998, Mr Sharif said they played an important role in bringing India to terms. The Lahore Declaration was signed on the basis of equality and this was the first time that New Delhi had accepted Kashmir as a disputed territory, he said.

He also said it was a matter of great concern for him that the followers of Islam were being accused of having links with the Al-Qaeda and apprehended in various parts of the country. Equally painful, he said, were raids of mosques and seminaries.

Expressing concern over security and human rights' violations, the exiled leader said those in power were appointing people from a particular caste and an ethnic group against key positions. Such an approach would have serious consequences for the country's security, he said.

About the operation in Balochistan, the former prime minister said it was totally uncalled for. People of Balochistan, he emphasised, were more patriotic than most of those in power. Balochs should not be forced to take up arms against their own army, Mr Sharif said.

He said he was trying to depoliticize the army and augment its prestige when his government was toppled. In his opinion the situation wanted all democratic forces to get united against the present rulers.

Mr Qadri said Javed Hashmi was the PML-N candidate against Shaukat Aziz. He hoped that the ARD would also support him for the slot. He rejected the interior minister's allegation that PML-N leader Javed Ibrahim Paracha had links with the Al-Qaeda.