Wednesday, July 6 2005 15:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Islamabad: Exiled former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ruled out any dialogue or deal with President Pervez Musharraf saying such a step would undo his six-year-long "struggle for a democratic Pakistan".

"As far as I am concerned, I am not ready to have any parleys with Musharraf or his team, leave aside making a deal with them. I have no knowledge of any deliberations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia regarding the end of my exile or my return to home," he quoted by 'Daily Times' from Jeddah.

Sharif's remarks came in the midst of reports that Musharraf had sought the help of Saudi Royal family to work out political reconciliation with him. Pakistan government, however, denied these reports yesterday (5 July 2005).

In his interview to the newspaper, Sharif confirmed other media reports that he has applied for fresh passports saying it was a "routine matter". "The Government won't be doing me any favour by renewing my expired passport. My application for renewal is only a routine matter and its timing or coincidence with stories carried by certain newspapers should not be viewed as a pre-planned affair."

Sharif's application was filed within days of President Musharraf's visit to Saudi Arabia last week Sharif said he would not let his sacrifices to waste by reaching an understanding with Musharraf. "... For me and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), the entire struggle for a democratic Pakistan, in which we have invested six long years and countless sacrifices, would have its purpose defeated were we to make a deal with a dictator guilty of subverting the constitution," he said.