Pakistan is burning from Khyber to Karachi', says Sharif

Islamabad, Jan.25 : Former Pakistan Premier and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has claimed that his country is up in flames from "Khyber to Karachi", and rejected suggestions of him being under foreign pressure to strike a deal with President Pervez Musharraf.

Addressing a PML-N workers conference in Jhagra Village in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Sharif said: "We have not made deals in the past nor will we strike any in the future as we don't believe in deals."

He also ruled out the possibility of his PML-N sharing power with the PML-Quaid and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) after the February 18 general elections.

The Daily Times further quoted him as saying that the PML-N was against dictatorial rule and would continue its struggle for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

Accusing Musharraf of removing an elected prime minister from office in 1999, he said the retired army chief had a duty to comply with the orders of an elected prime minister, but instead, had put him (Sharif) behind bars.

He also questioned the need for Musharraf to undertake a tour of Europe when Pakistan is in self-destruct mode.

President Musharraf, he said, was the "root cause of terrorism".

ANI