Commonwealth sets deadline for Musharraf

The Commonwealth on Monday gave an ultimatum to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf asking him to repeal the emergency provisions, restore the Constitution and step down as army chief by November 22 or face suspension from the 53-nation group.

After a marathon five-hour meeting, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group set out a five-point agenda, asking Musharraf to step down as army chief as promised, immediate release of political leaders, human rights activists, lawyersand journalists, immediate removal of all curbs imposed on private media broadcast and create conditions for holding free and fair elections.

Briefing the media after the emergency meeting, Foreign Minister of Malta Michael Frendo, who chaired the meeting, said: "The CMAG agreed that at its next meeting onNovember 22 if, after review of progress, Pakistan has failedto implement these necessary measures, it will suspend Islamabad from the Councils of the Commonwealth."

"Pakistan will not be able to attend the CHOGAM on November 23 in Kampala," Frendo said.