PM hopes Pak resolves crisis through ''pragmatic'' ways

Onboard Prime Minister's Special Aircraft, Nov 20 (UNI) Adopting a cautious approach on the political turmoil in Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today hoped that Islamabad would be able to find ''pragmatic, practical and effective means'' to overcome its present difficulties.

''I sincerely hope that the difficulties through which Pakistan is passing are resolved and they find pragmatic and effective means of solving their problem,'' the Prime Minister said while replying to questions on the political unrest in Pakistan.

Pakistan may be suspended from the Commonwealth for muzzling democracy by imposing emergency. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group(CMAG) has served 10 days ultimatum to Pakistan to revoke emergency and restore democratic rights of all political leaders and parties. It threatened to suspend Pakistan if it refuses to lift emergency by November 22.

Pakistan was earlier suspended from the Commonwealth when Gen Pervez Musharaff dislodged the democratically elected government of Nawaz Sharief in 1999.

India is expected to take a stand on Pakistan after studying the recommendation of the CMAG, which will take its final decision on November 22.

Dr Singh said, ''destinies of India and Pakistan are interlinked.

A prosperous, stable and democratic Pakistan is in our interest''.

UNI