Imran Khan Blames GW Bush for Pakistan's Woes

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has welcomed the Commonwealth's decision to suspend Pakistan's membership of the organisation. Mr Downer called the move - in response to President Musharraf's decision to impose emergency rule - symbolic but appropriate. A Commonwealth summit in Uganda has called on the general to restore democracy and the rule of law. The move came as opposition leaders in Pakistan stepped up their campaign for free and fair elections.

Pervez Musharraf swearing in four more members of the interim government he's appointed to oversee elections in January. Pakistan's Supreme Court, also stacked with Musharraf-friendly judges, has approved another 5-year term for the President, clearing the way for him to stand down as army chief, possibly tomorrow. But like the Pakistani political opposition, the Commonwealth wants much more.

DON MCKINNON, COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY-GENERAL: CMAG has suspended Pakistan forthwith from the councils of the Commonwealth, pending the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in that country.

It's the second time that Pakistan has been suspended. The first was in 1999 after Musharraf seized power, ousting prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was exiled. It was reinstated in 2004. While suspension is largely symbolic, it could lead to the loss of aid. Since 2004 the Commonwealth has provided considerable assistance including medical help after the devastating 2005 earthquake. The United States has also threatened to withdraw aid. But Imran Khan, still on hunger strike after being released from prison, says the US is causing the current crisis.

IMRAN KHAN, TEHREEK-E-INSAF PARTY LEADER: What George Bush is doing - is he's alienating 160 million people just to back one man to do his dirty work here.

He's calling on the international community to apply more pressure for the reinstatement of judges sacked by General Musharraf to ensure the validation of his re-election. While Benazir Bhutto's opposition party is naming candidates for January's election, it could still boycott the poll.

BENAZIR BHUTTO, PAKISTAN PEOPLE'S PARTY LEADER: We have entered our nominations under protest. The present rules are flawed, we don't expect fair elections.

As Ms Bhutto flew back to Islamabad from Karachi to continue her campaign, supporters of Nawaz Sharif announced that he's ready to make another attempt to return home to contest the election. Sharif was swiftly deported to Saudi Arabia after flying home in September. His party says he's not afraid of being jailed this time. Ross Cameron,

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