Lahore: Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday called former President Pervez Musharraf a "big coward" and asked the country's judiciary to bring him back from self-exile and make him accountable for his crimes.

Musharraf is facing treason charges in Pakistan for imposing emergency rule in November 2007, arresting judges and limiting their powers. He could face the death penalty, if convicted.

Musharraf, 75, who came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has been living in Dubai since last year when he was allowed to leave Pakistan on the pretext of medical treatment.

Sharif, 68, called Musharraf a "big coward" and said he should be brought to justice.

"Musharraf is a big coward who is hiding abroad. If any courage is left in him he should return and face cases against him," Sharif said, adding that Musharraf had abrogated the Constitution and he must be punished for that.

"We will soon bring this traitor to justice," Sharif pledged and demanded the judiciary to bring Musharraf back and make him accountable for his sins.

"This coward man is making excuses of his bad health to extend his stay abroad. Time is not far away to bring such traitors to justice," Sharif said. Musharraf toppled Sharif's government in 1999. PTI