Sunday, July 3 2005 13:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Amid reports that President Pervez Musharraf made an effort for a rapprochement with him through the Saudi royal family, former Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif today (July 3, 2005) vowed not to strike a deal with the General for returning home from his exile in Jeddah.

In a telephonic address to a meeting of senior PML-N leaders in Lahore, Sharif said Musharraf would be "running" after him in the coming days for his support but for the sake of the country, he would make "hard decisions" instead of compromising on principles.

Sharif's remarks came amid reports here that Musharraf made an effort for a rapprochement through Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah during his this week's visit to the kingdom.

There were positive vibes from Abdullah to broker a deal between Musharraf and Sharif, whose family has been given refuge in Jeddah, local daily The Nation reported today.

In his speech to the partymen, Sharif said any deal with Musharraf for coming back home meant wasting the "sacrifices" of last five years.

He said he also would not let go waste his own and his party workers' "sacrifices", local 'Geo' TV reported.

Reports in the media here said the ruling PML-Q, dominated by former Sharif loyalists, was not averse to have a compromise to rejuvenate the party for the local body polls this month and the general elections scheduled for 2007.

Sharif said the "so-called Muslim Leaguers" owing allegiance to Musharraf, whom he termed as a "dictator", would be looking towards his party, but those "who captured party offices and hurt the party interests would never be taken back into our party."

He described them as "traitors" for quitting the party and said, "They would definitely be getting punishments for their deeds."

Reports of Musharraf's attempts for a reconciliation followed the failure of his efforts to work out a political rapprochement with another former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who lived in self exile in Dubai.

After months of talks, her Pakistan Peoples Party, (PPP) said the dialogue failed to make any headway as Musharraf wanted Bhutto to remain abroad to enable him to consolidate his hold at home.