LAHORE, April 28: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday urged army generals to choose between Pakistan and Gen Pervez Musharraf who, he alleged, was bent upon destroying the army as an institution.

In a telephonic address from London to party leaders and workers here, Mr Sharif also criticised the Chaudhrys of Gujrat for their support to the “dictator” and statements that they would re-elect him for another 10 terms as president.

The PML-N leader appeared unhappy over reports suggesting that Benazir Bhutto was willing to have a working relationship with Gen Musharraf.

He lent full support to the ongoing struggle for the independence of the judiciary and hoped that judges would also change their attitude towards dictatorship. He directed party activists to accord a rousing welcome to Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on his visit to Lahore on May 5.

Punjab PML-N president Zulfikar Khosa presided over the meeting of the party leaders where ideas were discussed about receiving the CJP during his Rawalpindi-Lahore journey.

Lashing out at Gen Musharraf, Mr Sharif said time was fast approaching when those responsible for banishing the popular leadership would be looking for sanctuaries in foreign countries. But for that to happen, he said, the PML-N must stay steadfast in its determination.

He said Gen Musharraf had committed an unpardonable offence because of which a deal with him was “unthinkable”. He said the country needed leaders, not dealers at this juncture. He said he would never cooperate with those who had violated the Constitution and people’s mandate (by overthrowing an elected government).Referring to an interview by Ms Bhutto to a newspaper in which she reportedly indicated that as prime minister she would work with President Musharraf, Mr Sharif recalled that only a few days ago a PPP delegation led by Amim Fahim had called on him to reassure that the PPP was not going to strike any deal with Gen Musharraf.