Pakistan President Pervez  Musharraf today took strong exception to the Commonwealth's  decision to keep a watch on the implementation of his decision  to quit as Army Chief by the year-end, saying he would not  accept any such "conditionalities".

"We are very happy to be admitted into the Commonwealth. But I take very strong exception to the  Commonwealth Secretary General (Don Mckinnon's) comments that  it will keep an eye on Pakistan," he said and asserted that he would take decisions on internal issues keeping in mind the  interest of Pakistan and not that of the Commonwealth.

"All actions that we take here are in the interest of Pakistan and not in the interest of Commonwealth. We do not  care about that.. let that be clear. Let it not be said that  we are being kept under watch. 

"If we are happy to be in Commonwealth, the  Commonwealth should be proud of a having a country like  Pakistan joining it. Therefore we do not accept such  conditionalities," he said while addressing a student convention on extremism here.

McKinnon said that Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group would review Pakistan's case again in September  specially in the light of Musharraf's commitment to quit the  post of Army Chief by the end of this year. 

On criticism from some member countries of CMAG, which  readmitted Pakistan two days ago at a meeting in London,  Musharraf lambasted the African countries which expressed  reservations over the return of democracy in Pakistan.

"Some African members in the Commonwealth should look  at the condition of their people, their economies and their  sufferings before teaching Pakistan lessons in democracy. So  Pakistan cannot be taken for granted by anyone. We are very  happy to be in Commonwealth. But do not take us for granted,"  Musharraf said.

In his weekly briefing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan said the conditions put forward by the Commonwealth regarding Musharraf's uniform issue are  "unwarranted, unnecessary and uncalled" for and Pakistan will not accept any external conditionalities.

"Pakistan welcomes the decision of lifting of its  suspension from the Commonwealth but it was long overdue and  the decision in this regard should have been taken immediately  after the general elections," Khan said.

He said the 17th amendment of the Pakistan  constitution which dealt with the issue of Musharraf's uniform  was an internal matter which has been resolved amicably by political forces according to the aspirations and wishes of people of Pakistan and Commonwealth has nothing to do with it. 

Pakistan has a good record of moving forward towards  democracy while there are a number of countries in the  Commonwealth which have not high standard of democracy, he  said.

Referring to the steps taken by Pakistan towards  sustainable democracy, he said "we have been able to implement accountability and good governance besides empowering women  and minorities in the democratic institutions at all levels."

Criticising leaders of some Pakistani parties which represented to CMAG to not readmit Pakistan, he said "we should resolve our political issues ourselves and these should  not be highlighted at the international forums".