LAHORE - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said his fight does not aim at coming to power, but for a better and bright future of the nation for which he is ready to give any sacrifice.

“I am out to safeguard future of the nation and the country,” Nawaz Sharif said, talking to media persons and the party workers after offering Juma prayers in a Defence mosque.

Earlier, the former premier visited the residence of Foreign Affairs Minister Khawaja Asif in the same area and greeted him on the wedding of his daughter.

Nawaz Sharif said his fight is for democracy and rule of the people. I had played a role for strengthening democracy in the past and this time too he is out to do so, he averred. He said he has held the office of prime minister of the country thrice and has no lust for power, but the desire to see the country thriving and the people prospering.

The whole nation is witness to what is going on at present and reaction to it the world will see in the elections of 2018, the former prime minister said, showing optimism about winning the next polls with a margin.  Nawaz Sharif who ruled the country for about four years in the current term before the Supreme Court disqualified him on July 28 this year said today Pakistan is much safer than it was in 2013. Today the country is not marred by terrorism, loadshedding and chaos of the past, Nawaz Sharif who is facing trial on the references instituted by the NAB on the Supreme Court’s direction said.

The former prime minister said PML-N never cherished the politics of propaganda and it always took decisions in the larger interest of the nation and the country. Allah Almighty will soon end their difficulties, he added.

Nawaz Sharif said his government brought complete peace in Karachi and Balochistan. He said he is committed to democracy for which he played a role in the past and will do so again for strengthening it. He said it is because of the efforts of his government that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is quite near completion and the other development projects are going to be operational soon. He expressed the resolve not to let the CPEC get inflicted by the any hindrance. Nawaz Sharif said he has served the people after winning the 2013 elections and will do so again after the next elections.

Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif visited the house of the late Aleem Butt, a former CAA president who was a big fan of the former premier. Aleem passed away on November 9 last due to cardiac arrest. Nawaz Sharif condoled Aleem Butt’s death with his brothers and other family members. He also offered fateha for the departed soul.