LAHORE, Sept 29: Commonwealth’s reluctance to restore the membership of Pakistan has vindicated the ARD’s repeated assertions that democratic system is yet to be restored in the country, a central PPP leader said here on Monday.

Khalid Kharal, who is secretary-general of the party’s federal council, said at a news conference at his office that the grouping comprising Britain and its former colonies had linked Pakistan’s re-induction with the settlement of the LFO controversy.

This, he said, clearly meant that the 54-nation organization did not believe that democratic system would be restored in the presence of the LFO.

Mr Kharal said the ARD was not opposed to the restoration of Pakistan’s membership. But, the only demand the opposition alliance was making, which the Commonwealth was supporting, was that the country should be returned to a genuine democratic system.

The PPP leader advised Gen Musharraf that instead of making the country a laughing stock at the international level, he should take off his military uniform and spend at least two years in retirement before offering himself as a candidate for the office of the president.

He was critical of Gen Musharraf’s stubbornness in saying that he alone would take a decision on shedding his uniform. Such utterances were in conflict with democratic principles, he added.

Mr Kharal, who was information minister during Ms Benazir Bhutto’s second term, said it was for the nation, not the general, to decide whether he should stay in uniform.

The PPP leader said Gen Musharraf had received a “lukewarm” reception in the United States, and the Canadian prime minister had linked Ottawa’s future assistance to Islamabad with the restoration of democracy.

The PPP leader said many former army chiefs had retired after completing their term and Gen Musharraf should follow such generals.

ARD leader Munir Khan said it had been established that power had not been transferred to the elected representatives and parliament was not sovereign.

He said instead of criticizing Commonwealth’s decision on various grounds the government should meet the conditions to take the country back to the club.

He said Gen Musharraf should quit, the election of the president should be held afresh and the LFO should be submitted to parliament for approval.