By IRNA
Islamabad : Pakistan former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday announced boycott of the elections as protest against the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
“We have decided to boycott the elections against the barbaric murder,” Nawaz Sharif announced at a news conference.
He said that fair elections are not possible in the presence of President Pervez Musharraf, adding that Pakistan can not survive under President Musharraf.
“Musharraf should quit immediately. This is the first condition for fair elections,” Mr Sharif said.
He said that he has conveyed the boycott decision to Peoples Party, urging other parties to boycott the polls.
He called for general strike against the killing of Benazir Bhutto and said that all parties will sit together after the 3-day mourning to decide future strategy.
“We will launch the movement with a new spirit,” he said.
He said his Muslim League party has decided to boycott the elections despite international survey reports that his party will win the elections.
He demanded a caretaker government with national consensus to hold elections.
Sharif demanded new and independent election commission and new rules for fair elections be announced.