LAHORE, March 24: Deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif has opposed Gen Musharraf’s reported plan to hold a referendum to have himself formally elected president, and indicated that his party will mobilize the people against the move.

PML-N vice-president Tehmina Daultana told reporters here on Sunday after a telephonic contact with Mr Sharif in Saudi Arabia that the former premier was also in favour of a mass movement to frustrate the general’s plan.

According to Ms Daultana, Mr Sharif was appreciative of the ARD president Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan’s role in planning a rally on the Pakistan Day, though the government had disallowed the same. He said the PML would stand by the Nawabzada in all his anti-government plans. — Staff Reporter