PPP,PML-N should not indulge in confrontation: Sharif

“The PPP and PML-N should respect each other’s mandate and let democracy succeed,” the former premier told a gathering of senior party leaders.

The PML-N had yesterday given the PPP a 48-hour ultimatum to stop what it called a “smear” campaign against Sharif or to prepare for a “befitting response”.

The two parties have traded angry charges over the past few days,with the PML-N accusing PPP chief and President Asif Ali Zardari of running a “cell” within the presidency that is allegedly spearheading the vilification campaign.

The PPP denied the allegation and asked the PML-N to back up its accusations with evidence.

During today’s meeting,Sharif assured PML-N leaders that he would not become part of any conspiracy that could affect Pakistan’s democratic set-up. He said he had no intention of indulging in “politics of mudslinging”.

Sharif asked the leaders to bring down the political temperature and not to indulge in unnecessary debates on “dead issues”.

Briefing reporters after the meeting,PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal said his party did not want any confrontation with other political forces,including the PPP,in the interest of democracy.

“The PML is observing restraint though it has lots of information about the wrongdoings of PPP leaders. We believe in live and let live. Our leniency should not be considered our weakness,” Iqbal said.

He parried a question on the party’s strategy after its 48-hour ultimatum to the PPP ended.

A meeting of the PML-N’s central working committee has been convened on September 7 to discuss the reorganisation of the party.

Sharif is expected to travel across Pakistan to drum up support for the PML-N as he has been confined to Punjab province since he returned to the country from exile in 2007.