Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, July 04, 2003
Pakistan Hopes to Re-enter Commonwealth This Year: Musharraf
Visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday that his country looks forward to rejoining the Commonwealth this year after four years of suspension of its membership.
Visiting Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said on Thursday that his country looks forward to rejoining the Commonwealth this year after four years of suspension of its membership.
"I am very hopeful after my discussions with (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair that maybe we can re-enter in the next meeting, sometime towards the end of this year," Musharraf told a press conference in Paris.
Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth in 1999 following Musharraf's rise to power in a coup.
Pakistan has introduced "sustainable democracy" since then, and has been explaining this to the outside world, Musharraf said. "I think they do realize what is happening in this period in Pakistan."
Commonwealth member countries, mainly former British colonies, are expected to discuss Pakistan's re-accession at a Commonwealth meeting in September this year.