ISLAMABAD, June 15: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has again been politely reminded by the Commonwealth about the 2007 deadline set by it for the separation of the two offices he is currently holding.

The reminder came from the Foreign Minister of Malta, Dr Michael Frendo, on Thursday when he called on the president here. Malta is currently the chair of the 53-member Commonwealth which has been voicing its concern over the president’s dual role.

Although the Maltese foreign minister’s visit to Pakistan was projected in the bilateral context by the Foreign Office as evident by its statement, on top of the agenda was to convey the Commonwealth’s concern and stance on the issue.

As the current chairman of Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) on the Harare Declaration, Dr Frendo has been tasked to prepare a report on Pakistan which is still on the group’s agenda.

According to an insider, during the 40-minute meeting with the president, the Maltese foreign minister ‘mildly’ reiterated the Commonwealth’s position on the question, particularly the group’s call for the separation of the two offices in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Constitution and within the stipulated timeframe.

The president, it is learnt, made it clear to Dr Frendo that he would not do anything unconstitutional.

The next meeting of the CMAG at which Pakistan’s case will be taken up is scheduled for September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting will be followed by the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala, Uganda, in November.—Q.A.