NEW YORK, Sept 29: The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) on Saturday expressed the hope that elections in Pakistan would meet internationally accepted standards of fairness and transparency, including allowing all parties to compete in a pluralistic environment.
In a statement issued here following a meeting of CMAG, chaired by Maltese Foreign Minister Michael Frendo on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, the CMAG took note of the recent submission by the president’s legal counsel to the Supreme Court that the president would give up his role of Chief of Army Staff by Nov 15, if he were to be re-elected for another term as president.
“It reiterated its expectation that the separation of the two offices would be completed in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution and within that timeframe.
CMAG noted the commitment of the government of Pakistan to hold free and fair elections, in accordance with the Constitution.”
“It also welcomed the invitation of the Pakistan government to the Commonwealth to observe these elections.”
