Terming it an 'insult to the whole nation', former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif has rejected the National Reconciliation Ordinance proposed by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.
"The National Reconciliation Ordinance, which is meant to serve the interests of an individual, amounts to an insult to the whole nation," Sharif said.
"If national reconciliation is so vital then it should be based on some principles keeping in view national interests. It should not serve the purpose of electing a uniformed general as president," the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader observed in a statement issued by his party.
Sharif's statement comes a day after Musharraf expressed his willingness to drop cases against Sharif as well as leaders of other political parties under the National Reconciliation Ordinance.
"By the grace of Allah, we are neither corrupt nor do we want any immunity," Sharif said. The former prime minister pointed out that any move to grant immunity to those supporting General Musharraf also amounted to insincerity with the nation.
Another former premier Benazir Bhutto, who lives in self-imposed exile in London and Dubai, was offered amnesty by the government by dropping the corruption charges against her.
Sharif recalled that in the 'Charter of Democracy' signed by Pakistan People's Party chairperson Bhutto, it was agreed that an authentic and fair accountability system will be devised.
Terming the NRO as being against justice, Sharif advocated a national reconciliation for the supremacy of the Constitution and democratic institutions.
