'Democratic set-up in Pak good for Indo-Pak ties'

Nawaz Sharif says restoration of democracy in Pak will lead to more people-to-people exchange between both sides.

Exiled former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said restoration of a democracy in Pakistan will help to improve ties with India.

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"The two countries will be better served if democracy returns to Pakistan as then relations between them will improve and lead to more people-to-people exchange," Nawaz Sharif told PTI in a telephonic interview from Jeddah.

The PML-N chief asked India to extend its support in the struggle of people of Pakistan for removal of emergency, imposed last Saturday.

"Restoration of democracy in Pakistan will always be good for India as better rapport is expected when the two countries have democratic have set-ups."

"It is better than a military leadership talking to a democratic set-up in India," he said.

Sharif served as Pakistan's prime minister in 1999, before being ousted by General Musharraf in a military coup. He was sentenced to life in prison, but General Musharraf allowed him to go into exile under a deal brokered by Saudi Arabia in which he promised to stay out of Pakistan for 10 years.

Sharif made a failed attempt to return back home in September last, but was deported as soon as his arrived in Pakistan.