Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today took strong exception to the Commonwealth's decision to keep a watch on the implementation of his decision to quit as Army Chief by the year-end, saying he would not accept any such "conditionalities".
"We are very happy to be admitted into the Commonwealth. But I take very strong exception to the Commonwealth Secretary General (Don Mckinnon's) comments that it will keep an eye on Pakistan," he said and asserted that he would take decisions on internal issues keeping in mind the interest of Pakistan and not that of the Commonwealth.
"All actions that we take here are in the interest of Pakistan and not in the interest of Commonwealth. We do not care about that.. let that be clear. Let it not be said that we are being kept under watch.
"If we are happy to be in Commonwealth, the Commonwealth should be proud of a having a country like Pakistan joining it. Therefore we do not accept such conditionalities," he said while addressing a student convention on extremism here.
McKinnon said that Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group would review Pakistan's case again in September specially in the light of Musharraf's commitment to quit the post of Army Chief by the end of this year.
On criticism from some member countries of CMAG, which readmitted Pakistan two days ago at a meeting in London, Musharraf lambasted the African countries which expressed reservations over the return of democracy in Pakistan.
"Some African members in the Commonwealth should look at the condition of their people, their economies and their sufferings before teaching Pakistan lessons in democracy. So Pakistan cannot be taken for granted by anyone. We are very happy to be in Commonwealth. But do not take us for granted," Musharraf said.
In his weekly briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan said the conditions put forward by the Commonwealth regarding Musharraf's uniform issue are "unwarranted, unnecessary and uncalled" for and Pakistan will not accept any external conditionalities.
"Pakistan welcomes the decision of lifting of its suspension from the Commonwealth but it was long overdue and the decision in this regard should have been taken immediately after the general elections," Khan said.
He said the 17th amendment of the Pakistan constitution which dealt with the issue of Musharraf's uniform was an internal matter which has been resolved amicably by political forces according to the aspirations and wishes of people of Pakistan and Commonwealth has nothing to do with it.
Pakistan has a good record of moving forward towards democracy while there are a number of countries in the Commonwealth which have not high standard of democracy, he said.
Referring to the steps taken by Pakistan towards sustainable democracy, he said "we have been able to implement accountability and good governance besides empowering women and minorities in the democratic institutions at all levels."
Criticising leaders of some Pakistani parties which represented to CMAG to not readmit Pakistan, he said "we should resolve our political issues ourselves and these should not be highlighted at the international forums".
