Commonwealth lauds Musharraf's efforts

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, AUG. 23 Facing international isolation since the military take-over in October 1999, the Musharraf regime has something to cheer about. The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Mr. Donald C. McKinnon, is all praise for the plans of the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, to return the country to the path of democracy.

Mr. McKinnon, who is currently here to discuss the plans of the military Government to hold elections, is impressed with the recent announcement on the `road map' for establishment of a civilian set-up before October 2002.

``When I met him a year ago he promised to complete the elections to local bodies by August this year. He has kept his promise and I have no reason to doubt the rest of his programme. Gen. Musharraf appears to be determined to implement what he has promised'', he a told a news conference here after a meeting with the Pakistan President.

Mr. McKinnon's visit to Islamabad is preparatory to consideration of Pakistan's continued membership of Commonwealth by the Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in September and the Commonwealth Summit in October. The Secretary-General while expressing satisfaction over the progress made by the military regime towards restoration of democracy did talk about several gray areas in the `road map'.

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Section  : International
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