Abuja, Dec 07: The 54-nation Commonwealth is unlikely to re-admit suspended Pakistan until President Pervez Musharraf gives up his military title and his powers to sack Parliament, the group's Secretary General said today.
''Both these issues are in contravention of Pakistan's Constitution,'' said Don McKinnon, explaining a decision by a Commonwealth summit in Abuja, Nigeria, to ratify Pakistan's
exclusion due to democratic shortcomings.
Pakistan was suspended in 1999 after the military coup which brought Musharraf to power. But some western members are keen to readmit the country because of its cooperation in a US-led war on terror.
McKinnon told reporters a special ministerial committee dealing with Pakistan had concluded on Thursday that despite some progress, further reforms were needed before re-entry.
''It really would be more appropriate to see a resolution on those outstanding issues within Parliament, within the government structures, in order for them (the Commonwealth ministers) to make a further judgement on the issue.''
Musharraf was quoted by foreign media today as being disappointed with the decision taken at the Commonwealth summit.
The Pakistan issue has failed to rouse the same passions as Zimbabwe, a second nation suspended from the Commonwealth. The sanction against President Robert Mugabe's government has dominated the four-day summit that began yesterday.
Bureau Report
