Commonwealth re-entry on our own terms: Pak

Musharraf told a gathering of students in Islamabad that Pakistan was happy to be admitted to the Commonwealth, but rejected any conditions.

‘‘If we are happy to be in Commonwealth, the Commonwealth should be proud of having a country like Pakistan joining it, so, therefore, we don’t accept such conditionalities,’’ he said.

Pakistan, which has one of the world’s biggest Muslim populations, has already been embraced by the United States as a major ally, widely seen as a reward for its support in the US-led war against terror.

Representatives from Nigeria, India, Canada, Tanzania,Lesotho, the Bahamas, Malta, Samoa and Sri Lanka made the decision to lift Pakistan’s suspension in the name of the Commonwealth.

Musharraf said some countries should look at their own records before criticising others.

‘‘I regrettably say some African members, they should look at the condition of their own people, of their economy, of their sufferings, before trying to teach Pakistan lessons on democracy,’’ he said.

After the announcement of Pakistan’s readmission, Commonwealth officials said fresh action would be considered if the nuclear power failed to continue along the road to democracy or Musharraf did not stand down as Army chief.