While warning against the damage which the democratic process can face in case the general elections are delayed, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has called for an immediate announcement of a caretaker setup.

If the process of next elections was impeded, the democratic system could suffer a serious harm, Nawaz warned, while talking to media people here Tuesday. He said PML-N had completed the homework for the appointment of a caretaker prime minister, so the federal government should move ahead on this count.

The PML-N chief said he had also advised Leader of the Opposition Ch Nisar Ali Khan to work out issues of the caretaker setup. He demanded the government get serious about setting up a caretaker government without wasting any time. He also urged the political leadership in the country to evolve a consensus on the issue as the sooner this question was resolved the better it would be.

On the demand made by Dr Tahirul Qadri for the reconstitution of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Nawaz Sharif it was not a right time to raise this issue as the general elections were quickly approaching. He added Qadri’s agenda was nothing, but to sabotage the next elections.

He said numerous Pakistanis had dual nationality, but nobody was demanding what Qadri was doing. He said it appeared conspiracies were being hatched to sabotage the democratic system, but his party would not let them do so. Referring to Qadri’s approach, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan could not afford such more ‘dramas.’

Answering a question on the execution of Kashmiri leader Afzal Guru on the charges of attacking the Indian parliament in December 2001, Nawaz said responsible acts could result in better ties between India and Pakistan.

To another question, he said Pakistan and India were spending billions of rupees on defence, adding India should also realise its responsibilities in promoting peace in the region.Nawaz Sharif replied in affirmation when a question was asked whether PML-N would attend the APC called by Awami National Party (ANP) on terrorism.

Meanwhile, addressing a party meeting, Nawaz Sharif said the people were eagerly waiting for the general elections. PML-N would take all the democratic opposition parties on board to rid the people of corrupt and incompetent rulers. He said PML-N would not accept even a day’s delay in the general elections, adding the nation knew those who wanted to delay the polls.

To another occasion, Nawaz said the UAE experts on energy sector called on him and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and presented various proposals on how to overcome the electricity crisis.Nawaz said he highlighted the problems being faced by the industry and other sectors due to unavailability of electricity. He claimed PML-N was giving top priority to end the electricity shortage in the country and had also devised a roadmap to achieve the goal.