Commonwealth suspends Pakistan

The decision was made by foreign ministers, including David Miliband, at a Commonwealth summit in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency measures earlier this month, claiming it was necessary due to the threat of militants and an unruly judiciary.

The resulting crackdown saw lawyers and political opponents rounded up by those loyal to the president and placed under house arrest or jailed.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is at the summit, said: "Commonwealth ministers have made their clear and necessary decision on suspension of Pakistan from the Commonwealth. President Musharraf has said that he will take steps necessary to restore democracy. The Commonwealth is strongly of the view that he must now do so.

"We will work with Pakistan and the Commonwealth to ensure Pakistan returns to its rightful position in the Commonwealth once the remaining steps are taken."

Mr Miliband said the international community had to pressure Pakistan into holding free and fair elections as the country.

He said the decision was taken "more in sorrow than in anger" by foreign ministers at a Commonwealth summit in Kampala.

"I think an election can take place on a free and fair basis and part of the job of the international community is to exercise the pressure to ensure that it is," he told Sky News.

"Emergency law is a big obstacle in the way of a free and fair election. We have been clear that political prisoners need to be released and restrictions on the media lifted as well as the restoration of constitutional law and the renunciation by General Musharraf of his position as head of the army."