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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Secretary-General Puts Commonwealth Concerns to Pakistan Leadership

27 August 2000

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon visited Pakistan from 26-27 August 2000 in order to convey Commonwealth concerns over a timetable for the restoration of constitutional and democratic rule and to gain a first-hand impression of the progress that the military regime is making towards that end.

Mr McKinnon met with Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf, Foreign Minister Mr Abdul Sattar, Chief Justice Mr Irshad Hasan Khan, the Hon Adviser to the Chief Executive, Mr S Sharafuddin Pirzada, and Minister for Law Justice and Human Rights Mr Aziz A Munshi. He paid a courtesy call on the President. Mr McKinnon also met with leaders and representatives of the Jaamat-e-Islami, Grand Democratic Alliance, PPP, PML and MQM. He met representatives from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and the wife of detained former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, members of the Commonwealth diplomatic corps and the media.

Following his meetings with members of the military regime, Mr McKinnon said: "Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf appears committed to the Supreme Court's timetable for national elections."

Mr McKinnon was briefed on the military regime's local government plans and its preparations for compiling the electoral rolls and issuing identity cards before the local government elections beginning in December 2000. He recognised the challenge faced by the regime to implement these plans and said it was important to consult widely with political parties, civil society and Pakistani citizens to ensure acceptance of the regime's plans.

The Secretary-General reiterated the Commonwealth's offer to provide Pakistan with technical assistance aimed at the early restoration of constitutional and democratic rule.

He stated that he and Ministers of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on the Harare Declaration (CMAG) looked forward to meeting with Foreign Minister Mr Abdul Sattar in New York when he addressed the CMAG meeting in September.

Mr McKinnon stressed that the Commonwealth and the international community would continue to watch Pakistan closely to ensure the military regime kept to its commitment.

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