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Wednesday, Dec 05, 2007
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Pakistan fails to convince the Commonwealth members

Hasan Suroor

“Because of its past record of not keeping its word”

LONDON: Pakistan has lobbied heavily to head off its suspension from the Commonwealth, but failed to impress the member-countries on the steps it was taking to restore democracy. This was because of its record of not keeping its word, highly placed sources have said.

Pakistan reportedly gave an informal assurance that “things are happening” in Islamabad, suggesting that President Pervez Musharraf was moving in the direction that the Commonwealth wanted him to. “But its assurance did not go down well because last time also [Pakistan was suspended in 1999 after the coup that brought General Musharraf to power] it gave assurances that it did not keep,” sources said.

As a consolation, however, it was reportedly assured that its suspension would be revoked at the first credible sign of restoration of democracy.

Pakistan was suspended at the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting in Kampala on November 23 following Gen. (retd.) Musharraf’s decision to impose the emergency, clamp down on the media and arrest hundreds of Opposition activists. His actions were held to be inconsistent with the Commonwealth’s principles.

Within days of its suspension, Gen. Musharraf released political prisoners, gave up his uniform, eased media restrictions and set a date for lifting the emergency. Sources believe that if the process of restoration of democracy in Pakistan makes tangible progress when the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, comprising Foreign Ministers from nine member-States, meets then its suspension is likely to be revoked.

On the previous occasion, Pakistan remained suspended for nearly five years.

There is much speculation on how Kamlesh Sharma, the Commonwealth’s new Secretary-General elect, will handle the issue given the sensitive nature of India-Pakistan relations. The hope in Indian diplomatic circles is that by the time Mr. Sharma formally takes over in April, the issue would have been resolved.

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