Commonwealth ban on Pakistan lifted

Whatever it is, Pakistan cannot afford to ruin this opportunity of being taken fully onboard by the 53-nation Commonwealth which had suspended the country's membership following Musharraf's seizure of power from elected prime minister Nawaz Sharif in 1999.

The Commonwealth's lifting of the ban has gone down as a 'moral win' for President Musharraf. But has it in the eye of Pakistanis? Musharraf's democratic reforms still leave a lot be desired and he owes it to the people to restore full democracy in Pakistan.

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India's new government was quick to endorse Pakistan's reentry to Commonwealth. In a way, this gives a positive vibe for improving ties between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Let's hope that President Musharraf will relinquish his role as head of the army. That would be deemed to be a step towards democratising the Pakistan polity. One has to wait and see on that. But, admittedly, Pakistan's reentry to the Commonwealth has helped her regain her footing with the important bloc of nations much as it would bring economic benefits to her people.