ISLAMABAD, May 7: Pakistan has urged the Commonwealth to restore its membership of the 54-nation body which was suspended after the October 1999 military coup, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

The issue came under discussion during a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon on Tuesday.

Mr Kasuri told Mr McKinnon that democracy had been restored in Pakistan which held elections in last October leading to the induction of a civilian government headed by Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali, the statement said.

“It was now the expectation of the government of Pakistan that Pakistan will be able to return to the Commonwealth,” Mr Kasuri said.

“It was for the Commonwealth to do the right thing for Pakistan now.

“The two leaders agreed to remain in touch and felt that it was important that Pakistan return to the Commonwealth at an early date,” the statement said.—AFP