Secretary General Commonwealth, Donald McKinnon has praised Pakistan's active engagement with the 54-member organisation, saying he wants the country to stay in it.
Don McKinnon was speaking at a Commonwealth party-cum-fashion show organised by Pakistan's envoy to London Dr Maleeha Lodhi at her official residence to celebrate Pakistan's return to the organisation. Mrs McKinnon Clare de Lore was also present on the occasion.
He said Pakistan was finally back in the Commonwealth and "we want you to stay with us". In a lighter vein, he said, Pakistan, a country with a cricket heritage, could not stay away from the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth Secretary General appreciated the role of Islamabad's envoy Dr Lodhi for her recognition and placing the Commonwealth Secretariat on her one of the priorities to ensure a regular interaction with her commonwealth colleagues here.
Referring to the Commonwealth Observers Group sent to monitor 2002 elections in Pakistan, McKinnon said the members of the team came back with ninety six suitcases. When he asked why they were returning with so much luggage, he was told they liked the Pakistani carpets so much hence all of them returned with purchase of a Pakistani carpet.