Pakistan urged to restore democracy

The military seized power in October last year

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has said he will urge Pakistan's military government to restore democracy before the expiry of a three-year deadline set by the country's Supreme Court.

I am here to open up a line of discussion to give active encouragement to do things sooner rather than later

Don McKinnon

Mr McKinnon was speaking on his arrival in Islamabad, where he was to meet military leader General Pervez Musharraf to discuss the government's proposals for elections.

During his two-day visit, Mr McKinnon will also meet representatives from political parties, many of whom are now also calling for early elections.

Pakistan was suspended from the 54-nation Commonwealth in October 1999 after General Musharraf seized power. Mr McKinnon said the suspension was unlikely to be lifted before any elections were held.

General Musharraf has so far promised local elections

A Commonwealth summit last November endorsed the suspension and asked a Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to "keep the situation in Pakistan under review and be prepared to recommend further measures to be taken by the Commonwealth if progress to democracy is not made speedily".

Mr McKinnon said his trip to Pakistan was in keeping with the Commonwealth's aim of restoring Pakistan's membership.

However he said he "would not demand things that may not be delivered. I am here to open up a line of discussion to give active encouragement to do things sooner rather than later."

Mr McKinnon said the Commonwealth had taken note of General Musharraf's pledge to hold local elections from December, and had offered technical help.

"If you can run successful local government elections... you can also easily run national elections," he said.

'Stolen' billions

During his visit to Pakistan he is also planning to meet members of political parties, non-governmental organisations and civilian representatives.

Don McKinnon: Seeking a date for return to democracy

However Mr McKinnon said he had not asked to meet jailed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted in General Musharraf's coup.

Pakistan has said it will also ask Mr McKinnon for assistance in retrieving billions of dollars allegedly stolen by corrupt officials and sent to banks in countries such as Britain.

Deposed prime minister Benazir Bhutto urged the Commonwealth to resist any such request from General Musharraf.

Ms Bhutto, who lives in self-imposed exile in Britain, is not among the officials being sought. However there is an outstanding warrant for her arrest in connection with an earlier conviction for corruption.

Mr McKinnon has said he will report back on his visit to Pakistan to a meeting of CMAG next month to which Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar has also been invited.