Commonwealth Secretariat
  1. Home
  2. What's New
  3. Who We Are
  4. What We Do
    1. Democracy
    2. Economics
    3. Education
    4. Gender
    5. Governance
    6. Health
    7. Human Rights
    8. Law
    9. Small States
    10. Sport
    11. Sustainability
    12. Youth
    13. Millennium Development Goals
    14. Funding
  5. News
    1. Events
    2. News Archive Search
    3. Picture Stories
  6. Media Room
    1. Press Archive Search
    2. Media Contacts
    3. CommonwealthTV
    4. Podcast: Pick of the Commonwealth
    5. Events
    6. In the Media
    7. Updates
    8. Downloads
  7. Resources
    1. Documents
    2. Image Library
    3. Libary & Archives
    4. Publications
  8. Publications
  9. Employment
  10. FAQs
    1. Acronyms
  11. Contact Us
Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Extraordinary meeting of Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to discuss Pakistan

6 November 2007

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has convened an extraordinary meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in London on 12 November to discuss the situation in Pakistan, following consultations with the Group’s Chairperson, Malta’s Foreign Minister Hon Michael Frendo.

The meeting of CMAG ministers follows the declaration of a State of Emergency in Pakistan by the Chief of Army Staff, General Pervez Musharraf. In a statement issued on 3 November, the Secretary-General expressed grave concern at this development, calling it a step in the wrong direction and a serious setback to democracy.

CMAG comprises the Foreign Ministers of nine countries – Canada, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malta, Papua New Guinea, St Lucia, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom and United Republic of Tanzania.

Note to Editors

In his statement of 3 November, the Secretary-General said the suspension of the country’s Constitution, days before the Supreme Court was due to pass judgement on General Musharraf’s re-election as President, was a matter of deep concern to the Commonwealth. He said it was essential for the Constitution and the rule of law to be restored and the judiciary to be respected.

Pakistan was suspended from the councils of the Commonwealth in October 1999 and restored to full membership in May 2004. However, it has since remained on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which was established by Commonwealth Heads of Government in November 1995, to deal with serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth’s fundamental political values.

At their meeting in Malta in 2005, Commonwealth Heads of Government noted that the holding by the same person of the offices of Head of State and Chief of Army Staff is incompatible with the basic principles of democracy and the spirit of the Harare Commonwealth principles. They reiterated that until the two offices are separated, the process of democratisation in Pakistan will not be irreversible.

For media inquiries please contact Eduardo del Buey, Spokesperson at +44 (0) 20-7747-6380 or via e-mail at e.delbuey@commonwealth.int

Share this page
About this

ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int