ISLAMABAD (AFP) — Pakistan on Tuesday strongly rejected a Commonwealth deadline to end emergency rule in 10 days or face suspension, expressing "deep disappointment and regret" over the ultimatum.
"Pakistan expresses deep disappointment and regret over the statement issued by the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) yesterday," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan "firmly rejects the CMAG announcement and demands that are based on lack of realism and absence of understanding."
The Commonwealth on Monday said that Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf must restore its constitution and lift other emergency measures by 22 November or face suspension from the 53-nation grouping.
Following an extraordinary meeting of CMAG, which deals with serious breaches of the group's guiding principles, Secretary General Don McKinnon said Pakistan had "seriously violated the Commonwealth's fundamental values."
Pakistan however said that it would not tolerate outside interference in its affairs.
"Decisions on issues of vital importance will be taken in accordance with our national interests and requirements and not in observance of any artificially set timelines from outside," the statement said.
It defended the state of emergency, saying it was imposed in "extraordinary circumstances" to stop the country falling into chaos.
"Such a situation would have constricted the ability of the government to counter militancy and terrorism that posed a grave threat not just to Pakistan but to the world," it added.
The statement said the Pakistani government was committed to full democracy, noting Musharraf had announced a schedule for elections before January 9.
Pakistan's High Commission in London had been asked to send a full report before the government decides on what action to take, it said.
Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth in 1999 after Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup. It was readmitted in 2004.
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