COOLUM (Australia), March 2: Commonwealth leaders on Saturday dashed Pakistan’s hopes of rejoining the 54-nation body, saying it had failed to make sufficient progress in restoring democracy after the 1999 military coup.

“They noted the progress that has been made by Gen Musharraf, but Pakistan is still suspended,” said conference spokesman Joel Kibazo.

He was speaking after the first session of the CHOGM, which opened here on Saturday.—AFP