New York: In a major setback to Pakistan's military regime, the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group on September 27 decided to continue its suspension from the grouping as the country still does not have a democratic set up.

In its decision, the Group noted that Parliament in Pakistan remains deadlocked over the Legal Framework Orders (LFOs), which, it said, are an obstacle to the country's full return to democracy.

Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth after General Pervez Musharraf toppled the legally elected government of Nawaz Sharif and established a military rule.

The Group had received a letter from Pakistan People's Party chief Benazir Bhutto saying that suspension should not be lifted as it would help maintain pressure on the military rulers to return the country to democracy.

President Musharraf's government has been campaigning for lifting of sanctions.

External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha also attended the meeting.

The Opposition in Pakistan is pressing for rescinding of LFOs under which a person can hold offices of both President and Military Chief. But Musharraf is refusing to do so as it would force him to give up his control over Army.

The grouping hopes that the ongoing negotiations between the government and the Opposition would lead to an agreement on all outstanding issues in the spirit of Commonwealth Parliamentary practices.

If such an agreement is reached, the Group would recommend lifting of Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth.

PTI