Pakistan was ordered suspended from the Commonwealth Thursday "pending restoration of democracy and the rule of law" in the country. A key committee of the Commonwealth decidied that the situation in Pakistan, despite some improvement, "continued to represent a serious violation of the Commonwealth's political values." leaving it with no choice but to suspend the country. While it welcomed a promise by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to resign as head of the army and his decision to release detainees, it expressed concern over the continued detention of journalists, lawyers and human rights activists, as well as continued suspension of the constitution and the independence of the judiciary.The 53-nation organization carried through with a threat to exclude Pakistan from its activities following a day-long meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, made up of nine Commonwealth members including Canada. "This decision was taken in sorrow, not in anger," said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband, who added that he and his colleagues believe that "democracy and the rule of law are the best allies of security and stability in Pakistan."
Helena Geurgis, Canada's junior foreign minister, also welcomed the decision indicating it had been taken after a long and gruelling session. She said it was important to reinforce the Commonwealth's commitment to democracy. Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said it had been "a difficult issue" to resolve, adding "maybe we exhausted ourselves talking about it."
Pakistan, the world's most unstable nuclear power,
| nice phrasing |
| "We will welcome them back with changed circumstances, insh'allah." |