Had Musharraf not toppled my Govt, Kashmir would have been solved by now: Sharif

Lahore, June 27 (ANI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the long pending Kashmir issue would have been resolved long ago, had his government not been toppled by former military chief General Pervez Musharraf in 1999.

In an interview to a leading daily, Sharif, without taking Musharraf's name, blamed the former Army general for Pakistan's present turbulent situation.

"I am sure had my government not been toppled in 1999 by a military dictator, lingering Kashmir issue would have been resolved," Sharif said.

Commenting on the Lahore High Court's verdict acquitting him in the helicopter 'misappropriation' case, he said the court's order has exposed the 'dictatorial regime formula' being followed in the country to push back political leaders.

Sharif said he would not be deterred by fake cases being registered against him to malign his image.

Pointing fingers towards Musharraf, Sharif said that the truth behind fake allegations being made against him is well known.

"The whole world knew what the purpose of engineering cases against him was. A dictator who used to show his fist to his countrymen is now wandering here and there and even his close associates have turned against him," The Nation quoted Sharif, as saying.

Sharif also urged various political parties to join hands and work together to counter the challenges facing the nation at present

"We have clear stance that instead of indulging in politics of confrontation, we should use political strength in national interest and our energy for strengthening of democratic institutions," he said.

Earlier, a two-member division bench of the LHC had declared the lower court's verdict against Sharif as null and void, thus dismissing the misappropriation case against him.

Sharif was accused of tax evasion and fraudulently purchasing a helicopter, which he used for election campaigning in the mid-1990s.

A special anti-terrorism court had adjudged him guilty of utilizing his post for his own benefit, and disqualified him from holding public office for 21 years. (ANI)