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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General looks forward to working with Pakistan’s new government

26 November 2002

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has welcomed the formation of a newly elected government in Pakistan, following the 10 October 2002 National and Provincial Assembly Elections.

Mr McKinnon said, "Since the military coup in 1999, the Commonwealth has remained engaged with Pakistan on its return to civilian democratic rule. We take encouragement from the formation of an elected government in Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali. With the restoration of the Provincial and National Assemblies, Pakistan has taken an important step towards the full restoration of democracy.

"I am writing to the new Prime Minister saying that I look forward to working with the newly elected government. The Commonwealth will continue to offer support for the development of democratic processes and institutions to help complete the transition to civilian democratic rule, in accordance with the Commonwealth's fundamental political values."

Note to Editors:

Following the overthrow of the democratically elected Government in October 1999, the Commonwealth suspended Pakistan from its councils. At its last meeting, held in London on 31 October-1 November 2002, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) agreed to maintain the status quo on Pakistan pending greater clarity and an assessment of the role and functioning of democratic institutions in the country.
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