Abuja, Dec 05: Pakistan's efforts to get its suspension from Commonwealth revoked failed today with the 54-member grouping holding that no progress has been made for restoration of full parliamentary democracy in the country. The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) here, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha told reporters.
India is a member of the eight-member CMAG.
It was felt at the meeting that no progress has been made in Pakistan in this regard ever since the New York meeting of the group in September last and a view was taken that the suspension would continue, Sinha said.
The group had at its last meeting suggested that there should be a negotiation in Pakistan between government and opposition and agreement should be reached there on all outstanding issues in the spirit of parliamentary practice and process.
It had also requested CHOGM secretary general Don McKinnon to remain engaged and continue to monitor the situation in Pakistan.
The group had stated that Pakistan's suspension could be revoked only after the negotiations concluded successfully and a comprehensive package was passed in Parliament in accordance with the Constitution.
Asked to spell out India's stand on Pakistan's re-entry into Commonwealth, Sinha said that it was not a bilateral issue. "It is an issue on which all the members of the group have to reach a decision," he said, adding that it was like any other issue such as Zimbabwe. Bureau Report