Commonwealth issues ultimatum to Pak

LONDON: Acting tough, the Commonwealth has given ten days to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to repeal emergency as well as restore constitution and independence of judiciary or face suspension, but Islamabad rejected the ultimatum saying it cannot act on deadlines 'imposed from outside.'

The Ministerial Action Group of the 53-member body, at a meeting late last night, also asked the military ruler to step down as Chief of Army Staff and release political party leaders, human rights activists, lawyers and journalists detained after the proclamation of emergency before November 22.

It demanded removal of all curbs on private media broadcasts and restrictions on the press and asked Islamabad to create conditions for holding free and fair elections in accordance with the Constitution.

"CMAG agreed that at its next meeting in Kampala in Uganda on November 22 (on the eve of CHOGM), if, after review of progress, Pakistan has failed to implement these necessary measures, it will suspend Pakistan from the Councils of the Commonwealth," Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon said.

But within minutes of the statement, the Pakistani High Commission in London rejected the demand saying his country cannot act in accordance with deadlines 'imposed from outside' and will follow its own road map for transition to democracy.     

"Decisions regarding the transition will be taken in accordance with Pakistan's national interests and requirements, not deadlines imposed from outside," the Pakistan High Commission said in a statement.