LAHORE, Nov 28: The PML (N) has decided to defer a decision about taking part in or boycotting the elections and discuss the issue with other parties and arrive at a consensus. “A line of action will be adopted after consulting with other opposition parties, civil society and the legal fraternity,” PML (N) leader Nawaz Sharif said after a five-hour meeting of the party’s central working committee held at his Model Town residence here on Wednesday.

He said the CWC had authorised him to take a decision. But, he said, he wanted to discuss the issue with other parties.

Mr Sharif, who was accompanied by Raja Zafarul Haq, Javed Hashmi and Iqbal Zafar Jhaggra, said the CWC condemned all actions taken by Gen Pervez Musharraf since Nov 3 and demanded a complete reversal of the actions taken since the imposition of emergency.

According to Mr Sharif, an individual cannot be allowed to indulge into arbitrary acts to benefit himself. “We cannot accept it. Our talks with other stakeholders will focus on this point.”

Asked if he was urging the new army chief to reverse the process because Gen Musharraf had retired, he said the man who had created the mess in the first place should know how to clear it.

About the taking of oath by Gen Musharraf as a civilian president on Thursday, he said the oath would lack legitimacy and it would be devoid of any constitutional or legal cover.

He said that no government action would be acceptable until the restoration of the pre-emergency judiciary.

Referring to the operation in Swat, Mr Sharif said the government should think before complying with demands of foreign powers. “It is our country and we know better how to solve our problems.”

Asked if he would urge the new army chief to end the operation, he said such decisions were taken by governments and not by army chiefs.

The PML (N) leader vowed to continue the struggle against military interventions in political affairs and for the independence of judiciary and the media.