Lahore: Holding President Pervez Musharraf responsible for Pakistan being dubbed as a "dangerous country", former premier Nawaz Sharif has demanded that he should resign and a government of national unity formed to ensure free and transparent polls.

"Musharraf has become highly controversial and elections would not be free and fair under him," Sharif told a news conference after chairing a meeting of his PML-N party to chalk out its strategy for the February 18 parliamentary polls.

"Pakistan is being described as a dangerous country in the international media because of Mr Musharraf's eight-year rule," Sharif, who was deposed by Musharraf in a military coup in 1999, said.

The PML-N cancelled its electioneering after the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto on December 27 and has not yet resumed its campaign.

Pakistan's Election Commission postponed the general election scheduled for January 8 till February 18 following Bhutto's killing.

Sharif said Pakistan is on the "brink of a serious crisis" and Bhutto's assassination had proved to be a "big blow to the forces of federalism in Pakistan".

Bhutto's killing has had negative and serious consequences for the country and there is a need for general reconciliation, he added.

"After the December 27 tragedy, it is imperative to move towards genuine democracy and fair elections. Controversial elections will be disastrous and will throw the country into anarchy and turmoil," Sharif said.

Sharif said Musharraf should step down and a government of national consensus should be formed.

Source : PTI