LAHORE, Feb 12: The Pakistan Muslim League-N has demanded immediate induction of an interim government (for overseeing general elections) and warned that any delay or stalemate on the issue may damage the democratic process.

“The caretaker set-up should be announced at once,” PML-N President Nawaz Sharif said while talking to newsmen here on Tuesday.

“The government should take serious steps for formation of the caretaker government without delay. (Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly) Chaudhry Nisar has been asked to hold consultations with the government on the matter,” he said.

“The entire political leadership should evolve a consensus on the issue because a deadlock may adversely affect the democratic process.”

Declining to give any name he said his party had decided on a name for the caretaker prime minister and was ready to accept the (PPP) government’s nominee provided the person was of good reputation.

Answering a question about Dr Tahirul Qadri’s petition filed in the Supreme Court for reconstitution of the Election Commission of Pakistan, Mr Sharif said Dr Qadri’s approach and intentions were not good.

“Pakistan cannot afford any ‘drama’,” he said, adding that “Qadri’s agenda is aimed at sabotaging the elections because his demands are unconstitutional.”

He said Dr Qadri did not respond to reservations expressed by the PML-N, but now he would have to answer the Supreme Court’s questions.

A large number of Pakistanis held dual nationality but they were not making such demands. He said that Pakistan should be given an opportunity to become a civilised country.

Mr Sharif said his party would attend the all-party conference being organised by the Awami National Party on combating terrorism.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Chaudhry Nisar and Raja Zafarul Haq will represent the party at the conference and the delegation will have one-point brief (how to counter terrorism).

On the recent hanging of Afzal Guru in New Delhi, the PML-N chief said India would have to act responsibly if it wanted to improve ties with Pakistan. Replying to a question, he said President Zardari had phoned him 10 days after the death of Abbas Sharif.