PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif. —File Photo

FAISALABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Nawaz Sharif has accused President Asif Ali Zardari of endangering the country’s sovereignty.

Addressing a large public meeting held at the Dhobi Ghat here on Sunday, he alleged that a letter purportedly sent to former US military chief Mike Mullen through Ambassador Husain Haqqani sought to put Pakisan Army under American control.

Mr Sharif warned that if the federal government failed to launch an investigation into the scandal in a couple of days and fix the responsibility within nine days, he himself and PML-N’s Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapters would approach the Supreme Court with a request to take up the matter.

He said President Zardari had applauded the covert US operation in Abbottabad in his articles published in Washington Post and New York Times and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani termed it a great victory.

“The country cannot be run in the manner adopted by the current rulers, including bargaining on national sovereignty and people’s self-respect.”

The former prime minister said his party would not sit in assemblies whose decisions were being ignored and violated.

The PML-N chief dispelled a perception that his party was hand in glove with the people in authority. Had there been such an alliance, there would have been no need for a long march for reinstatement of the judges, he said. He asked why was governor’s rule imposed in Punjab if he had an understanding with the federal government.

Mr Sharif said he had been utterly disappointed by the rulers and it was the defining moment when people should be ready to bring about a change.He said that after coming to power, his party would work for a bright future for the youth, create jobs and empower labourers.

He accused the federal government of not cooperating with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in his efforts to develop the province. He said the chief minister had tirelessly served the masses and overcome the menace of dengue virus.

The Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, rejected allegations that government employees had been brought to the meeting.

He challenged the president to hold a public meeting at the same venue in Faisalabad.

Chaudhry Nisar said Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf chief Imran Khan could not become a leader by addressing one public meeting. Criticising Imran Khan’s claim that he would take two wickets with one ball, he said he could do so only “with the help of umpires”.

He said the assets of PML-N’s leaders were before the people to see and Mr Khan could request the Supreme Court to set up a special bench to look into the matter. “We have no dispute with the army but we are against those who use the army. The ISI uses political parties and national funds for forming governments,” he alleged.

PML-N leader Javed Hashmi said Pakistan was still in the grip of dictatorship and “we will keep fighting this menace”.

He said people valued democracy, justice and self-respect.

Mr Hashmi said the country had been plundered by leaders and not by the common people.

A large number of people came to attend the public meeting in processions from different parts of the district.