Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon on Saturday discussed restoration of democracy and the role Pakistan is playing in promoting peace and security. He was talking to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Saturday. Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmud Kasuri and Pakistan's High Commissioner in London Ms. Maleeha Lodhi were also present during the meeting.
The Prime Minister expressed commitment for peace and stability in the region.
He informed the Commonwealth secretary general that the National Assembly has passed a legislation under which the President can hold both the offices of the COAS and the President.
The Prime Minister said under the present circumstances President Musharraf would play an effective role in the promotion of peace and security and this is the need of the hour for Pakistan, the region and the world.
He also discussed policy issues relating to economic development in Commonwealth states with particular reference to the issues of health and education in developing member states.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan wanted to broaden and expand relations with the Commonwealth in various fields. He said there were areas in development and financing such as micro-credit, Information Technology and financial sector in which some member countries like Pakistan had accumulated expertise, which could be utilised by other member countries.
The Commonwealth secretary-general agreed with the Prime Minister on the need to assist member countries for promoting socio-economic development by enabling them to share skills and knowledge.
He said that Commonwealth was offering technical assistance to Pakistan in different fields, the details of which would be worked out by the experts accompanying him on this visit.