LAHORE, May 7: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif says there is no need to bring a no-trust motion against Yousuf Raza Gilani after his conviction by the Supreme Court.

Talking to editors, senior journalists, columnists and anchorpersons here on Monday, he said Gilani was no more a prime minister because the apex court had convicted him and there was no need for a no-confidence move against him. He was responding to Gilani’s remarks that the opposition should bring a no-trust move against him.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Muhammad Mehdi and senators Ishaq Dar, Mushahidullah Khan and Pervaiz Rashid were also present.

Nawaz dispelled the impression created by PPP leaders that the PML-N campaign to oust the prime minister could endanger the democratic system.

“Democracy is not in danger due to our struggle, it is threatened by the attitude of the present government. If it is not checked, it will ruin all national institutions, including the judiciary and future of democracy. The struggle will help reform the situation.”

The PML-N chief said a person convicted by the Supreme Court had no right to remain the prime minister. “It will be a shame that a convict will be representing Pakistan as its prime minister in Britain,” he said in reference to Gilani’s five-day UK visit starting May 8 (today).

He said in civilised and semi-civilised countries rulers resigned even after allegations were levelled against them, but Gilani clung to power even after his conviction.

Sharif held President Asif Ali Zardari solely responsible for what was happening with the Supreme Court and other national institutions and said other people were only tools in PPP co-chairperson’s hands. “Gilani should be loyal to the country, the Constitution and law and not to Zardari alone.”

Replying to a question, Nawaz said the APDM (All-Party Democratic Movement) meeting in 2007 discussed boycott of elections and it was PML-N’s stance that the boycott would be ineffective without the PPP. He said he tried to convince Benazir Bhutto to boycott the polls, but failed and ANP and JUI-F also wanted to take part in the electoral exercise. In such a situation, he said, Imran Khan and other parties should have taken part in the elections.

Sharif said had they (the PML-N) not been in the parliament, the ‘infamous’ NRO would have been approved and all unconstitutional steps of Pervez Musharraf, including the one taken on Nov 3, 2007 to remove and detain apex court judges, would have been given a legal cover.

Nisar said if need be they would not hesitate to use resignations as a political weapon to help the democratic cause.