Cwealth will continue pressing Pakistan for restoration of democracy

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has said that his organisation would continue to press Pakistan for a return to a civilian democratic government.

New Delhi, Sep 26 : Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has said that his organisation would continue to press Pakistan for a return to a civilian democratic government.

Addressing the 53rd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference here, McKinnon said that President General Pervez Musharraf had assured him that he would doff his uniform before he is sworn in as the next President.

"Of course the presidential poll is not without controversy and has been challenged in the court. The next few months are critical for Pakistan, where the democratic tradition has found it difficult to take root," he said.

The Daily Times reported that McKinnon criticised governments for restricting the activities of political parties and according different treatment to ruling and opposition parliamentarians.

He cautioned governments that by marginalising opposition parties and limiting their capacities, they would be landing themselves in more trouble by handing over power to groups outside Parliament.

Commenting on Pakistani politics, McKinnon said, "It is incompatible to be the President and the operational commander of the armed forces."

When asked if Pakistan could be suspended from the Commonwealth if Musharraf refused to doff uniform, McKinnon declined to respond to a "hypothetical question, which I resisted answering in Pakistan".

However, he said, "If the General does win and does not quit the Army Chief's post," the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) would be "taking quite a strong view on this."

ANI