Pakistan to review Commonwealth ties after suspension

Islamabad: Pakistan deplored its suspension from the Commonwealth on Friday and warned that its ties with the group would be reviewed.

A foreign ministry statement defended the imposition of emergency rule by President General Pervez Musharraf, saying it was "necessary to avert an internal crisis".

But Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said: "Every country that has been suspended will say we didn't understand the circumstances prevailing in the country at the time ... We think we did."

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Supreme Court gave Musharraf until December 1 to take the oath of office as a civilian president.

The 53-member Commonwealth suspended Pakistan after President Pervez Musharraf failed to meet a Thursday deadline to end emergency rule and quit as army chief.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said Pakistan deeply regretted the decision of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to suspend Pakistan.

"The CMAG decision is unreasonable and unjustified. Pakistan will review its association and further cooperation with the organization," he said.

The CMAG said in a statement that the suspension will say "pending the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in that country."

The organisation further said that while there had been some progress in Pakistan, many of the Commonwealth's demands had "remained substantially unfulfilled".

While suspension has few immediate practical consequences, analysts say it could further isolate Pakistan and discourage foreign investment.

- With input from agencies