The voluntary association of Britain and many of its former colonies issued a statement in London saying the suspension of Pakistan was being lifted, effective immediately, the BBC reported Monday.

Pakistan was ousted from the group after Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf failed to meet a deadline to lift a state of emergency and resign as chief of the army.

It was the second time Pakistan has been barred from the group. The first time occurred in 1999 when Musharraf seized power in a coup.

Suspension means a country cannot take part in commonwealth meetings and aid projects in the suspended country are halted.