ABBOTTABAD, March 11 Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Nawaz Sharif has ruled out any compromise with the present setup, saying the movement has been launched to save the country from “usurpers of people's rights” and change the system.

Speaking at a big public meeting at the Government College ground here on Wednesday, the former prime minister maintained that the rulers had lost senses and were making failed attempts to block the way of 'people's flood' by enforcing section 144.

He observed that the people had now awakened and would not allow anyone to plunder national wealth or destroy institutions, especially the judiciary and parliament. He stressed that the masses should play their historical role by joining the long march and sit-in in Islamabad.

The PML-N leader asked the people to fulfil their 'national obligation' by supporting the PML-N and the lawyers' movement to rid the country of what he called corrupt leaders. He told the people that the country needed their sacrifices at this critical juncture and they had to play their due role as played by their elders during the independence movement.

He said the people should come out on roads with the spirit of nationalism if they wanted change and restoration of independent judiciary.

Appreciating efforts of lawyers, Mr Sharif said their struggle was not for the post of president or premier, but they wanted restoration of independent judiciary. He hoped that the entire nation would stand by the lawyers' movement for the noble cause.

About treason charges levelled against him, the PML-N leader said the allegations had been framed against him by those who themselves had committed treason.

Earlier, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan and Pir Sabir Shah, former chief ministers of the NWFP, spoke on the occasion.

Our Haripur Correspondent adds Talking to media people at the residence of MNA Sardar Mushtaq in Kot Najibullah here on Wednesday, Nawaz Sharif said change in the country was imminent because coexistence of the country and the obsolete system was not possible.

Asked if his struggle was for change through early polls or military interference, he said it was the power of 160 million Pakistanis that would bring change in real sense.

About reports of some clandestine reconciliation between deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry and the government, the PML-N leader termed it a mere rumour, adding that if they had an agreement nobody would have an objection.

He said Pakistan had reached a juncture where changing the system had become essential to ensure prosperity of the country and its people.

He said his party was struggling for a system that would provide justice to people at their doorsteps, access to resources and standard education, and honourable living to everyone.

Answering a question, the PML-N leader said the ongoing movement for restoration of the pre-Nov 3 judiciary was not a threat to the integrity of the country; rather, he added, it would prove a good omen for the country.

He said it was time to change the destiny of Pakistan, calling upon the masses to join the long march for independence of judiciary.

The former prime minister expressed the hope that the available opportunity for change would not be allowed to go waste as the lawyers and the PML-N had the same cause.

Earlier, Mr Sharif visited the house of his slain personal secretary Sher Azam Khan and expressed condolence with the bereaved family. He offered Fateh for the departed soul.