ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: The exiled prime minister and Quaid of Pakistan Muslim League (N), Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, on Wednesday said the only way to pull the country out of crises was to follow the UN Charter and the national constitution so that dictatorship came to an end and genuine representatives of the people were free to operate according to the constitution.

In his New Year message to the nation, Mr Sharif said the year 2003 brought disappointment and setbacks to Pakistan at every level.

"The national unity was damaged, cleavages appeared between the Centre and the provinces, the Constitution was mutilated and all unconstitutional and illegal actions of a single person were endorsed to prolong his illegitimate rule."

He said unfortunately the people claiming to be political parties took that decision, which would impact upon the future of the country. The poor in Pakistan are getting poorer day by day and galloping unemployment is depriving the people of their peace of mind, he added.