ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged Pakistan?s present Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to devise a strategy which ends the country?s reliance on US aid.

Referring to US President Donald Trump's 'anti-Pakistan' tweet, the former premier said Trump should know the elected government launched anti-terrorism operations after assuming power.

?Pakistan paid the highest price after 9/11? Nawaz said, emphasising that the country had lost the most in the war on terrorism. 

"Had there been a democratic government in 2001, it would not have sold its conscience," said Nawaz, who was deposed in 1999 by the-then army chief General Pervez Musharraf. 

The former premier said further that the Coalition Support Fund should not be termed aid.

'Will divulge everything if schemes don't stop'

Nawaz said being a three-time prime minister, several facts are in his knowledge.

?We need to take stock of the domestic situation and find out why the world has a negative view of Pakistan,? he added.

Nawaz lamented that not a single prime minister has completed his or her term in this country.

Quoting surveys, he said the PML-N is the most popular party among the public, and its vote bank is stronger than the combined vote bank of all political parties.

?Those afraid of this rise [of PML-N] are attempting to change the present situation,? he added.

?I want to state categorically that the country?s future is linked with impartial elections,? he said, urging that equal opportunities be given to every electoral contender.

He said illegal decisions and secret backdoor deals should not be initiated to keep some parties out and other favourites in.

?Those who indulge in the politics of lies and sit-ins and have been repeatedly rejected by the voters should not be forced upon the people,? he asserted.

Asking that the voters? decisions not be usurped, Nawaz warned that is the scheming being undertaken behind the curtains does not stop, he ?shall present all such evidence before the people and share the story of what has transpired in the last four years?.

?I shall also inform the people of the political games being played from behind the scenes at the moment,? he added.  

Starting his press conference, Nawaz said this is the year of general elections when the electorate will choose their representatives for the next five years. 

Nawaz reached the Punjab House alongside his daughter Maryam where the press conference was taking place. 

Earlier, Nawaz appeared before the accountability court which is hearing corruption proceedings against him and his family.

Speaking with reporters outside the court, Nawaz lamented the favourable treatment of Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan by the judiciary, referring to his recent 'clearance' by the Supreme Court in the disqualification case against him as well his bail in the anti-terrorism cases against him.

The former premier also expressed disappointment at rumours that his recent visit to Saudi Arabia was to seek 'safe passage' from his present predicaments.

This is a developing story and will be updated as further details are available.