Lahore, Jan. 29: Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif has claimed that assassinated former premier Benazir Bhutto was inclined to boycott the general elections that were originally scheduled to be held on January 8 this year.

Addressing a seminar organised by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) here on “the health future of Pakistan,” Sharif said his PML-N had decided to take part in the election under protest. He also revealed that he had held discussions with Benazir Bhutto to boycott the polls, but the late PPP leader had told him then that she was inclined to boycott, but her party had reservations.

He claimed that had the opposition remained united and unanimous about the poll boycott, the decision could have forced President Musharraf's ouster.

He warned that unless an acceptable rule of law prevailed, key issues like health, social upliftment and environment would never be addressed effectively or efficiently.

Charging Musharraf with having created an atmosphere of uncertainty in Pakistan through his ‘murder’ of the judiciary, Sharif was further quoted by The News as saying that by prolonging his unconstitutional rule and making tall claims of launching mega projects, Musharraf would not succeed.

“We have resolved to end the military role in politics and it will be possible only if the judiciary is independent. The military ruler has put the country in dire straits and whatever is happening in the country is the fallout of his ‘dirty’ policies,” he said.

“India rightly claims to be the largest democracy of the world, whereas in Pakistan, a government is never allowed to rule without the umbrella of dictatorship,” he observed.

Former Pakistan Medical Association President Dr Yasmin Rashid, Dr Azimuddin Zahid, Dr Zahid Mohiyuddin and Dr Saeed Elahi were the other speakers at the seminar. (ANI)