LAHORE, Jan 1: Pakistan Muslim League (N) patron Nawaz Sharif says the government should have sent a delegation to India after the Mumbai attacks to show solidarity with grief and anger-stricken people there.

Talking to a 20-member delegation led by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan chairperson Asma Jehangir, here on Thursday, the former prime minister said he had sent Sartaj Aziz to Delhi during the Kargil episode and it had worked.

The delegation, according to PML-N sources, had met the party chief to convey its concern over rising tension between Islamabad and Delhi and growing extremism in the country.

Nawaz said the conspiracies of anti-democratic forces could be foiled only by implementing the Charter of Democracy. The problems faced by the country would have to be resolved through a dialogue instead of use of force, and the PML-N would not support any unconstitutional action under the circumstances.

The delegation reportedly assured Nawaz that the HRCP and other non-government organisations would support bill for the repeal of 17th Amendment. The delegation also included writer and journalist Ahmed Rashid, teacher and columnist Mehdi Hassan, Labour Party leader Farooq Tariq, economist Shahid Kardar.

Nawaz thanked the delegation for the support and said his party would continue its struggle for strengthening democracy, supremacy of the constitution and restoration of judiciary.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, leader of opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and PML-N leaders Khwaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal and Pervaiz Rashid also attended the meeting.