NEW YORK Former president Pervez Musharraf has severely criticised PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and said he (Nawaz) will never be able to regain power and take him to court.

The retired general who had deposed Mr Sharif in October 1999 told a gathering of Pakistanis on Saturday night that “Nawaz knows that neither will he regain power nor will he be able to try me in a court of law. Therefore, he takes resort to blowing this trumpet time and again.”

Gen (retd) Musharraf said he did not regret the action taken against Baloch leader Nawab Akbar Bugti and against Lal Mosque and stressed he would not apologise for the actions, adding he would do it all over again if forced by the situation.

Continuing his attacks on Mr Sharif, he said that while he raised the slogan of 'Jaag Punjabi Jaag' to secure votes in Punjab, he had remained silent over the killing of Punjabis in Balochistan.

Gen (retd) Musharraf accused Mr Sharif of giving refuge in Lahore to Talal Bugti whom he termed 'lawbreaker'.

Supporters of PML-N gathered outside the hall raised slogans against Musharraf.