March 21, 2006	Tuesday	Safar 20, 1427

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LAHORE, March 20: Exiled former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday ruled out the possibility of his PML-N contesting the 2007 general election in alliance with the ruling party, saying his party would not like to join hands with what he called turncoats.

“What for should we get together? The party in power is a group of turncoats. We’ll not like to be seen with them”, he said, rejecting suggestions that the two parties should get united to contest the election from the same platform.

Mr Sharif explained his party’s position in a telephonic address from London to his party leaders and workers at a reception at the residence of Mian Marghoob.

His address sets the tone for the March 25 and 26 meeting of his party’s central working committee to be held in London under his chairmanship. Some members of the CWC have already reached London while others will be leaving during the next few days.

Mr Sharif praised those struggling for the restoration of democracy, and said it was because of their efforts that the destination was getting closer. “Don’t be discouraged if the situation is adverse. Keep up your momentum. The destination is within reach”, he said amid slogans by audience.

In an obvious reference to the overthrow of his government in October 1999, the former prime minister said he had made no mistake nor any of his party leaders could be held guilty of that. Guilty, he said, were those who had violated the Constitution.

Those who worked for the integrity of the country or to earn it respect at the international level had either been banished or imprisoned, Mr Sharif complained. He regretted that people changing loyalties were being rewarded and dissidents being punished.

He was all praise for Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Khwaja Saad Rafiq, Zaeem Qadri and others who were suffering only because of their commitment. He said since he himself had tasted imprisonment, he could well imagine the situation these people were having to face. “I am proud of you”, said the exiled leader of all people standing on his side in adversity.

Mr Sharif pledged that he would bring about a change to the country. He made it clear that he had neither struck any deal in the past nor was thinking of one in the future. He said he would stick to his principles.

He said people who had involved themselves in intrigues against the PML-N would never be taken back in the party. They were abominable, they had taken over party offices by force, Sharif said of the leaders of the ruling party. However, he said, those who kept themselves away from intrigues and kept silent would be accommodated. “Power-hungry can never be our partners”.

The PML-N founder said he wanted to come back to Pakistan at the earliest but not at the cost of principles. He said he had already spent five years in exile but remained steadfast. He said he wouldn’t mind if he had to spend some more time out of the country struggling for democracy.