Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday night met his political rival Benazir Bhutto to persuade her to boycott the upcoming general election, hours after his nomination papers were rejected by poll officials due to his conviction on hijacking charges in 2000.

Sharif's meeting with Bhutto, being held at her home in Islamabad, began almost two hours behind schedule. The two leaders were earlier scheduled to meet at 7 pm.

The PML-N chief has said that he will not challenge the rejection of his nomination papers by the returning officer in Lahore before judges owing allegiance to President Pervez Musharraf.

PML-N sources said the latest developments had strengthened Sharif's intention to go ahead with boycotting the polls.

After calling on visiting Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Sharif met leaders of the All Parties Democratic Movement, an opposition alliance that includes the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Awami National Party and several Baloch nationalist parties.