ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: Top leaders of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) have briefed the Commonwealth on the state of democracy in the country and praised its decision of keeping Pakistan’s membership suspended.

The briefing was given to Special Adviser Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Syed Sharfuddin by ARD Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, President Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Senator Raza Rabbani, MNA Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Ahsan Iqbal at the PPP Central Secretariat here on Thursday.

The 54-nation Commonwealth, which in the main includes the UK and its former colonies, on September 28 extended Pakistan’s suspension from the organization due to the persistent deadlock between the government and the opposition on the issue of the Legal Framework Order (LFO).

According to sources, the ARD team told the visiting Commonwealth official that parliament was not functioning independently in the country and that power transfer from military to civil administration had not taken place. The ARD leaders said democracy had not been fully restored in the country and that it was impossible to do so in presence of the LFO. They termed the LFO a continuation of the military rule.

The ARD leaders desired that the Commonwealth should not give any kind of concession to any country on the issue of democracy. “Any such concession will encourage armed forces in other countries as well to topple the elected governments,” a senior ARD leader reportedly told Mr Sharfuddin.

The ARD leaders told the Commonwealth official that the Alliance would continue its struggle for the supremacy of constitution and make every effort to end the military dictatorship. They termed next three to four months very crucial for the country when the ARD’s struggle would enter the final phase.

Earlier, Canadian High Commissioner Margaret Huber called on PML-N leaders Javed Hashmi, deputy parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali and Ahsan Iqbal at the party’s camp office in the morning.

Mr Hashmi appreciated Canada’s role for restoration of democracy in Pakistan and hoped that the Canadian government would continue its efforts in this respect.

The PML-N acting chief briefed her on the country’s political situation and said the democratic forces in Pakistan greatly valued the contribution of the European Union and the Commonwealth towards revival of democratic culture. Chaudhry Nisar Ali briefed the Canadian high commissioner on the economic progress made during the Nawaz government and the mega projects launched by it. He also explained the PML-N position on the LFO.