Barack Obama’s policy to halt the advance of Islamist militants in Pakistan differs little from the disastrous one pursued by his predecessor, Nawaz Sharif, leader of the country’s opposition, told the Financial Times.

A Taliban fighter on guard in South Waziristan: Nawaz Sharif seeks a cross-party approach to fighting militancy

Mr Sharif, a possible future prime minister, was sharply critical of US policy in Pakistan saying former US president George W. Bush had helped promote terrorism by backing military ruler General Pervez Musharraf. He said Mr Bush was against Pakistan’s return to democracy and deaf to advice.