Nawaz rules out talks with Musharraf

Islamabad, Sep 18 (UNI) Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ruled out talks with President Pervez Musharraf ''under any circumstances''.

''I will not talk with Gen Musharraf under any circumstances,'' Mr Sharif told Opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rahman while apprising the latter about the meeting the former Pakistani premier had with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud in Jeddah yesterday, the Nation quoted sources saying.

King Abdullah and Mr Sharif had discussions broadly on the agenda of the ''patch-up'' with Gen Musharraf and the ''unprecedented'' reaction of PML-N supporters on the latter's return to Pakistan and subsequent deportation.

Mr Sharif apprised Maulana Rahman, who had a two and a half hour meeting with him at his Jeddah palace, about his first ever meeting with the Saudi King after deportation.

The Saudi King expressed his regrets over the demonstration that marked the PML-N chief's return to his country.

Mr Sharif said the reaction was ''natural'' against an action which was against the ''will'' of the people.

The former Prime Minister also discussed with Maulana Rahman issues such as restrictions on him in Saudi Arabia, future line of action of anti-Musharraf grouping APDM, presidential elections and other issues related to Pakistani politics.

Maulana Rahman was also accompanied by his Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (Fazl), Secretary General Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri.

Mr Sharif told the two Jamiat leaders that he had handed over his passport to his party leaders before he was sent on forced exile.

UNI