As far as I'm aware Pakistan's membership of the Commonwealth was suspended on the basis that its government was a military dictatorship. It has now been reinstated as a full member despite the fact that the two main political parties remain outlawed and the President still parades around in a military uniform locking up his opponents.

Why was this decision made and more importantly was it the right decision to make?

Have we suddenly discovered something that we want? An oil pipeline that needs to run through the country perhaps? :(

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3739435.stm

Well the General has been very kind in his assistance in the 'War on Terror' and they are starting elections to legitimise it all.

The previous regime wasn't really any better but I suppose there is a chance for India and Pakistan to make some progess if we keep them under the wing of the Commonwealth rather than remaining outside it.

I have a sneaky suspician that Burma (Mayanma) will be in the fold within 10 years too. Now THAT will really be something to celebrate!

Better in than out I say, though I have no idea what to do with Zimbabwe (Rhodesia) under the present regime. Mugabe makes Idi Amin look friendly some days. :(

I'm more than a little unclear about what the commonwealth actually does. Is it just a talking shop fot the largely Anglophone countries of the world (along with randoms like Cameroon and Mozambique) to do vague things like 'cultural exchange'? Or does it serve a deeper purpose? Is it about money getting redistributed from the first world to the third, or what?