Zardari not my rival: Sharif

Islamabad, Nov.18 (ANI): Downplaying reports of his rivalry with President Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has said that he never considered Zardari as his rival, and that he is ready hold talks with leaders of all political parties for the sake of democracy.

In an interview with Geo News, Sharif said he has never hesitated in holding talks with Zardari in the interest of the country and added that he would like to advise the President that 'time was running out to save democracy.'

Criticising the former President General Pervez Musharraf's autocratic rule, Sharif blamed Musharraf of 'trapping' him in false cases.

"My family's factories and properties were seized in the government of Pervez Musharraf, who trapped me in false cases," he said.

Sharif rejected the notion about him being interested in becoming the country's Prime Minister and said that he is not is favour of mid-term elections.

"I neither support mid-term elections nor am I in favour of minus-one or minus-two formulas. The integrity and solidarity of Pakistan are dearer to me than becoming the Prime Minister for the third time," he said.

Sharif said the implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD) would have made Zardari more effective.

"President Zardari enjoys immunity under the Constitution and the courts will reach a verdict in the backdrop of this fact," he added.

Responding to a question regarding Saudi Arabia's involvement in Pakistan's politics, Sharif said both countries enjoyed brotherly relations, so it would not be suitable to drag Riyadh into country's internal issues. (ANI)