Pakistan 'en route to democracy'

The military seized power in October last year

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has expressed optimism about Pakistan's return to civilian rule after holding talks with the country's military leader, General Pervez Musharraf.

Mr McKinnon's spokeswoman said the meeting between the two men was extremely productive.

However press reports say Pakistan's military government told Mr McKinnon that the country needed key institutional reforms before genuine democracy could be restored.

Don McKinnon: Seeking a date for return to democracy

The Commonwealth chief arrived in Islamabad on Friday to urge a return to democracy before a three-year deadline set by the country's supreme court.

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.

Commonwealth assistance

"The Secretary-General was briefed on the major tasks, namely revival of the economy, accountability, institutional reforms to ensure good governance and ... to promote genuine democracy in the country," a statement issued by the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

The Commonwealth has offered assistance for the electoral reform process and elections themselves starting with the local elections expected in December.

General Musharraf has so far promised local elections

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

Mr McKinnon's spokeswoman said harsh measures had been implemented against Pakistan to show that military rule would not be tolerated, but that one now had to look forward to the return to democracy.

The secretary general 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."

'Stolen' billions

During his two-day visit Mr McKinnon is expected to meet members of political parties, non-governmental organisations and civilian representatives.

Nawaz, deposed and sentenced to life imprisonment

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 Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group meeting next month to which Pakistani Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar has also been invited.