Commonwealth for early restoration of democracy in Pakistan

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, AUG. 26. The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Don McKinnon, today called on the Pakistani military ruler, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, to convey the Commonwealth concerns over a time-table for early restoration of constitutional and democratic rule in the country.

However there was no commitment from Gen. Musharraf on the `demand' for a clear road-map for restoration of civilian rule. Mr. McKinnon was merely informed of the Supreme Court deadline of October 12, 2002 for completion of the reform process set in motion by the military government and return of the Army to the barracks.

Pakistan has asked the Commonwealth to provide `technical assistance' to hold elections to local bodies scheduled between December this year to August next year on a non-party basis. The Commonwealth has agreed to the proposal and has deputed a two- member team for consultations.

It was not immediately clear if the Commonwealth Secretary General was satisfied with the response of the Musharraf Government. He would report back on his impressions to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) when it meets next month. The Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, has been invited to the meeting to present the case of the military government.

Mr. McKinnon is to address the press tomorrow on the outcome of his visit to Pakistan. Today he was busy meeting representatives of the Government to hear their views.

Among those he met included the President, Mr. Rafiq Tarar, and Minister for Law and Attorney General, Mr. Aziz A. Munshi. Tomorrow he is scheduled to meet leaders of political parties.

Pakistan was suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth at a special CMAG meeting in London on October 18, 1999 - exactly six days after the military coup in which Mr. Nawaz Sharif was overthrown.

Subsequently, the Durban Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November 1999 endorsed CMAG's decision and directed it to ``keep the situation in Pakistan under review and be prepared to recommend further measures to be taken by the Commonwealth if progress to democracy is not made speedily''.

Ever since its suspension from the councils of Commonwealth, Pakistan does not participate in Commonwealth meetings or secure technical assistance. Mr. McKinnon's mission to Islamabad is in the context of establishing a timeframe in which Pakistan could be brought back into the councils of Commonwealth.

In an informal talk with a group of correspondents immediately on his arrival on Friday night, Mr. McKinnon said the three year time-frame for return of democracy fixed by the Pakistan Supreme Court and the time-table for elections to local bodies announced by Gen. Musharraf would be kept in mind in assessing the situation.

However the Commonwealth is faced with a dilemma in dealing with the three-year time-frame prescribed by the Supreme Court. The time-table for return of democracy in any Commonwealth country as per the charter of the organisation is two years.

Mr. McKinnon gave clear hints that there is little chance of readmission of Pakistan to the councils of the Commonwealth on the basis of the time-table announced for elections to the local bodies and the Supreme Court time-frame.

``We desire full restoration of democracy'', he said in response to a question. He ruled out possibility of expulsion of Pakistan from the Commonwealth. He pointed out that there is no instance of expulsion of any member from the club.

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