SIALKOT, June 26 PML-N patron Nawaz Sharif demanded on Saturday immediate trial of Pervez Musharraf in the “larger national interest”, calling upon the government to take its cue from the US which has sacked Gen McChrystal.

“Early trial of Pervez Musharraf has now become the voice of the whole nation and it's time the government take the initiative,” he said while citing US President Barack Obama's action against the commander.

“The US has set a good example by putting its general to trial and the Pakistan government should also act against its former general.”

Addressing a well-attended public meeting at Sialkot, the PML-N leader further criticised Musharraf who, he said, “stained his hands with the blood of hundreds of innocent people.” He urged the Supreme Court and the subordinate judiciary to take sou motu notices of the “wrongdoings Musharraf committed during his rule”.

He accused President Asif Ali Zardari of giving a safe exit to Musharraf under an agreement. The present incumbents, he said, gave the guard of honour to the dictator before sending him abroad. “It was a very shameful act by the rulers,” deplored Nawaz.

He said Babar Awan was doling out cash to lawyers to create a lobby against Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

He pledged to continue struggle for implementation of the Charter of Democracy. Under CoD, he said, “we will respect the mandate given to the PPP by the masses.” However, he said, there would be no compromise with the PPP government on the NRO issue.

He said the PML-N had a strong government in Punjab and was playing the role of a healthy opposition in the Centre. It would continue to remind Zardari of his political promises with the PML-N under CoD, he said.

Abject poverty and desperation were forcing people to commit suicides and sell their children, he said and urged the government to rein in price-hike and other ills plaguing the nation.

Nawaz Sharif, while talking to journalists at Khwaja Asif's residence, stressed that the PML-N would not accept turncoats, for they have a bleak future. Most of them, he said, were the remnants of the Musharraf regime.

Earlier, hundreds of PML-N activists, several MNAs and MPAs accorded a warm welcome to their leader. Nawaz Sharif moved towards the residence of MNA Khwaja Asif at Sialkot Cantonment in a procession.