Commonwealth says readmits Pakistan

By Adrian Croft

LONDON (Reuters) - The 53-nation Commonwealth decided on Monday to readmit Pakistan, praising its election of a democratic government, just as a political crisis rocked the country's six-week-old coalition.

Ministers from the Commonwealth said Pakistan, suspended last year when President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency rule, had done enough to return to the fold.

"The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) agreed that ... the government of Pakistan had taken positive steps to fulfil its obligations in accordance with Commonwealth fundamental values and principles," the group said after meeting in London.

"It accordingly decided that Pakistan is now restored to the councils of the Commonwealth," said CMAG, a nine-nation grouping which deals with violations of Commonwealth rules on democracy.

Pakistan was suspended in November after Musharraf failed to meet a deadline to lift emergency rule and resign as army chief.

Musharraf later gave up his military role and lifted the state of emergency. CMAG "commended" Pakistan for holding parliamentary elections in February.

Pakistan welcomed the decision by the Commonwealth, which represents a population of 1.8 billion and groups mostly former British colonies.

"We look forward to working together with the Commonwealth for furthering the objectives of the organisation and making an active contribution towards the achievement of its goals," said Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq.