Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister and chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), said on Thursday the United States must distance itself from President Gen Pervez Musharraf if it wants to win the fight against terrorism, in an interview with The Associated Press. Nawaz said Washington must actively promote democracy in Pakistan and shift its support away from Musharraf, who ousted him in a bloodless 1999 coup. “America must support Pakistan. It should not equate Pakistan with Musharraf,” Nawaz said at his London office. “It is being perceived America is supporting one man against 150 million people in Pakistan.”
He confirmed he would seek office again, for a third term as prime minister. “If the people of Pakistan elect me to serve the country, I’ll be honoured to do that,” he said. |