The Commonwealth re-admitted Pakistan as a full member on Monday after a six-month suspension triggered by a clampdown by President Pervez Musharraf, the grouping's secretary general said.

The suspension was lifted after a meeting of key ministers of the 53-nation Commonwealth in London.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) agreed that since November "the government of Pakistan has taken positive steps to fulfil its obligations in accordance with Commonwealth fundamental values and principles."

"It accordingly decided that Pakistan is now restored to the councils of the Commonwealth," Kamalesh Sharma said, reading from a statement after the talks at the Commonwealth's Marlborough House headquarters.

Pakistan was suspended from the 53-nation Commonwealth on November 22 last year, with the organisation saying that conditions under President Pervez Musharraf were in violation of its fundamental values.

Musharraf had declared a state of emergency on November 3, placing the chief justice under house arrest, detaining lawyers, rights activists and opposition members and curbing press freedoms.

The Commonwealth ministers notably welcomed the fact that Musharraf had given up his military role, lifted the state of emergency, held elections and removed curbs on the mass media.

But it also urged Pakistan to "reinforce the independence of the judiciary and resolve current issues through the parliamentary process as soon as possible so that it contributes to democratic political stability in Pakistan."

"There (is) need for reform. In this regard it welcomes the new government's state intention to reform the election commission and enhance its independence," the statement added.

Since the suspension -- the second in Pakistan's history -- the country has gone through a democratic transition. A new government took power following February 18 elections in which Musharraf's allies were trounced.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group brings together nine member countries elected to deal with serious or persistent violations of the Commonwealth's fundamental political values.

The Commonwealth brings together some 53 nations, including Britain and former colonies ranging from Canada to India to Vanuatu -- around a third of the world's countries and a quarter of the world's population.

Suspension leads to a ban on attending the organisation's meetings, taking part in the Commonwealth Games and a cut in support from other member states on governance issues.

Barring the embarrassment of being cut out of a voluntary organisation, a frozen membership has little diplomatic significance but can often be accompanied by economic sanctions if prolonged.

Pakistan was suspended before following Musharraf's 1999 coup and brought back in the fold in 2004 after Musharraf vowed to step down as army chief.

The Commonwealth suspended Fiji in 2006 after a military coup in the south Pacific Ocean nation, while Zimbabwe was suspended in 2002 and has since left.

Monday's decision on Pakistan came less than two months after Indian diplomat Sharma took over a Commonwealth secretary-general, succeeding Don McKinnon of New Zealand.

As well as re-admitting Pakistan, the ministers agreed that the Commonwealth should continue to help Pakistan "as appropriate, to support the further strengthening of democratic institutions and processes in the country."

PHOTO CAPTION:

President Pervez Musharraf

AP