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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan would take part in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled at Malta from November 25 to 27 after a gap of six years following its re-admission to the Commonwealth in 2004. Pakistan was suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth after the October 1999 military coup by Pervez Musharraf ousting the then Nawaz Sharif Government. Though general elections were held in October 2002 re-admission of Pakistan into Commonwealth was delayed on the ground that the military has not fully transferred power to the elected representatives. Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would represent his country at Malta. Prior to that Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri will attend the preparatory meeting of the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers from November 23-24. According to Pakistan Foreign Office following its re-entry Pakistan can now benefit from the projects/programmes identified by the Commonwealth Secretariat's programme of work and is eligible to receive Commonwealth technical assistance. Pakistan nationals can participate in Commonwealth organised/assisted workshops, seminars and training programmes held in other member countries. Since 2004 Pakistan has already started fully participating in activities, such as Commonwealth Judges Forum, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Commonwealth Lawyers Forum and Commonwealth Local Government Forum etc. CHOGM are held every two years and the last CHOGM was held in Nigeria in 2003. CHOGM meetings bring together Presidents, Prime Ministers and Heads of State to discuss Commonwealth and global issues, and develop a consensus on collective policies and initiatives. These summits provide a unique forum for consultation at the highest level of government. The theme of Malta Summit is "Networking the Commonwealth for Development" and would provide an opportunity for leaders and Ministers to discuss various issues including peace and development, promoting harmony among peoples of different faiths and cultures, world security, international trade, digital divide and special attention to Africa.

Source:The Hindu More