Pakistan's membership restoration: Commonwealth working out modalities, says Maleeha

Pakistan High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Dr Maleeha Lodhi, said on Saturday that Commonwealth office was working out modalities for restoration of Pakistan's membership of the organisation. A meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) will be held soon in this regard, she told a private television channel.
"The Commonwealth itself is looking at modalities to ensure restoration of Pakistan's membership," she added. She said that the Secretary-General of Commonwealth, who has assumed charge on April 1, had a conversation with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and he congratulated him on assuming the office. The Secretary-General also discussed with him Commonwealth's desire that Pakistan should return to the organisation, she said.
She said, "Commonwealth had itself suspended Pakistan's membership and therefore we feel that it is for the Commonwealth now to restore it." Dr Lodhi said, "So, we have to keep this distinction in mind and as far as Pakistan is concerned, we await what the Commonwealth office itself has planned to do."