Pakistan poised to be readmitted to C'wealth

The CMAG is the standing committee of foreign ministers, which examines any abuses of democracy or human rights within Commonwealth. The officials said that Commonwealth would allow Pakistan to regain its membership following the smooth elections held on February 18 and with it the return of country to democracy, removal of restrictions on media and President Musharraf's decision to quit the office of Army Chief.

An official requesting anonymity said that even the new Commonwealth Secretary General and former Indian diplomat Kamalesh Sharma had also hoped that Pakistan would be readmitted to the grouping. He said that the lifting of Pakistan's membership suspension by Commonwealth would go a long way in strengthening Islamabad's relations with UK and other member states.