Commonwealth lifts suspension on Pakistan

The Commonwealth on Saturday readmitted Pakistan after the 53-nation grouping had suspended it in 1999 after General Pervez Musharraf [ Images ] toppled democratically elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief.

The Commonwealth while readmitting Pakistan welcomed the country's progress on democratic reform since Musharraf's coup. Pervez Musharraf is currently the president of Pakistan.

However, the Ministerial Action Group, composed of officials from nine Commonwealth countries, noted 'continuing concerns in regard to the strengthening of the democratic process in Pakistan' and said the country would be subject to continued monitoring.