LAHORE, Feb 20: PML-N Patron Nawaz Sharif says President Musharraf must read “the writing on the wall” and step down because people have given their verdict against him by rejecting his allies in the Feb 18 vote.

“Mr Musharraf must take it as referendum against him and go home,” Mr Sharif told reporters here on Wednesday.

He said options for Musharraf were squeezing day by day as more difficulties were stored for him in the coming days.

He said his party would give the PPP first right to form government in the centre and would extend it all-out cooperation in this respect. He said there was no difference between the PML-N and the PPP about the independence of the judiciary and limiting the role of armed forces in politics.

If one was sincere with the restoration of the constitution, reaching a decision on the independence of the judiciary would not be difficult, he added.

When asked about the agenda of his meeting with PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari scheduled for Thursday, he said first of all party’s central working committee would discuss all options available with it and then he would meet Mr Zardari.