Zardari accuses Sharif brothers of planning his murder twice

Former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari has accused the ousted prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, and his brother of plotting for his assassination twice.

"The Sharif brothers twice planned my murder in captivity in 1990s, but by God's will, they could not succeed," the Dawn quoted Pakistan People's Party information secretary Chaudhry Manzoor, as told by Zardari.

Zardari held a meeting with the party leaders on Saturday at the Bilawal House for getting ready for the general election.

During the meeting he told the leaders that Sharif had been trying to seek his support, however, he refused for it.

"I have not yet forgotten what they (Sharifs) have done to Bibi Benazir and me. We forgave them and got along in ARD and signed Charter of Democracy, but still Mian sahib betrayed me and went to court in memogate in order to label me a traitor," Zardari said.

He further told his party leaders that Sharif brothers are not reliable, as "they change colours so quickly. When they are in trouble, they are ready to cooperate with you.... when in absolute power they hit you smartly," PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor quoted Zardari, as saying.

"We will be on a strong footing after next year polls," he added.

Earlier, Sharif had sought Zardari's support through controversial real estate tycoon Malik Riaz to deal with the challenges he and his party are facing after his ouster.