Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has said that under present circumstances, the country cannot afford another period of martial law, as the last dictatorial regime had left the nation in a poor state.

"Anyone who wishes for a martial law in Pakistan, can not be a Pakistani. Only the enemies of Pakistan can and will wish for a martial law, as Pakistan cannot brave another martial law," the Tribune quoted Nawaz, as saying.

Talking about the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief, Altaf Hussain's statement on a "martial law-type action against feudal lords and corrupt politicians," Nawaz said that martial law had been tried in the past, only to realise that it was a problem in itself, instead of being a solution to other problems.

The PML-Chief was addressing the media outside Ganga Ram Hospital, where he had gone to visit the victims of the suicide blasts at Gamay Shah in Lahore.

On terrorism, he said that anti-state elements wanted to destabilize the nation, and the problem could be tackled with unity.

Talking about the floods relief efforts in the country, Nawaz said that the relief work being carried out by the government was very slow and discouraging, and he had "personally directed the PML-N leadership and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to continue relief efforts till rehabilitation of every affected family in the flood-hit areas." (ANI)