Kampala: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived here tonight to attend the summit of Commonwealth countries which has democracy on top of the agenda as their leaders face mounting pressure to suspend emergency-ruled Pakistan from the group.

Contentious issues like climate change, human rights and terrorism will also be on the radar of the leaders of the 53-country grouping at their three-day summit in the Ugandan capital. CHOGM 2007, which will open tomorrow in the Ugandan capital, "has a rich agenda before it. This includes review of global developments including climate change, the millennium development goals, human rights and terrorism," Singh said in a pre-departure statement in Delhi.

Singh said he was looking forward to meet a large number of world leaders and "have constructive dialogue with them on both bilateral and international issues." The grouping will take a decision on its ultimatum to Pakistan to repeal emergency imposed on November three, restore the Constitution and step down as army chief or face suspension with a 10-day deadline ending today.

Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) met here today, for the first time since setting the 10-day ultimatum for Pakistan to lift the emergency, during which African members pushed hard for suspension of Pakistan, highly-placed sources said, adding Britain and Canada toughened their stand after soft-pedalling on the issue initially.

During an hour long meeting, which saw heated debate on the issue, African countries in the nine-member CMAG pitched for action against Pakistan saying the Commonwealth cannot have one set of standards for some and another for others. Africa is represented in the panel by Tanzania and Leshotho.

Source : PTI