Pakistan suspended from Commonwealth

Pakistan has been suspended from the Commonwealth, pending the restoration of democracy.The decision was made by foreign ministers, including David Miliband, at a Commonwealth summit in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule on November 3, one month after the October 6 polls. He claimed it was necessary due to the threat of militants and an unruly judiciary.It meant the constitution was suspended, the chief justice sacked and the court purged so more amenable judges could be installed while thousands of anti-Musharraf demonstrators were detained by police.Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is at the summit, said: "Commonwealth ministers have made their clear and necessary decision on suspension of Pakistan from the Commonwealth."President Musharraf has said that he will take steps necessary to restore democracy. The Commonwealth is strongly of the view that he must now do so."Mr Brown added: "We will work with Pakistan and the Commonwealth to ensure Pakistan returns to its rightful position in the Commonwealth once the remaining steps are taken."Mr Miliband said the international community had to pressure Pakistan into holding free and fair elections as the country.He said the decision was taken "more in sorrow than in anger" by foreign ministers at a Commonwealth summit in Kampala."I think an election can take place on a free and fair basis and part of the job of the international community is to exercise the pressure to ensure that it is."Earlier, Pro-Musharraf Supreme Court judges threw out a final challenge to the Pakistani president's controversial re-election.The long-awaited ruling has paved the way for the general to quit as army chief and be sworn in as a civilian leader as early as the weekend.Pakistan was also suspended from the Commonwealth in 1999 after General Musharraf seized power in a coup - but its place was restored in 2004.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

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ITN | November 23, 2007

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