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Pakistan judge to regain top post Pakistan judge to regain top post
(about 4 hours later)
Pakistan's sacked Supreme Court chief justice is due to be reinstated after mass protests by opposition parties and activist lawyers. Pakistan's sacked Supreme Court chief justice is due to be returned to his post after mass protests by opposition parties and activist lawyers.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said Iftikhar Chaudhry will resume his old post after current Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar quit the post. Iftikhar Chaudhry's reinstatement will be marked by a ceremonial flag-raising. It has not been deemed necessary for him to renew his oath of office.
Mr Gilani's announcement on Monday prompted the opposition to call off a major rally in the capital Islamabad. The government buckled to opposition demands over Mr Chaudhry on Monday, prompting a big rally to be called off.
Mr Chaudhry was dismissed by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007.Mr Chaudhry was dismissed by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007.
Sixty other judges were also sacked but most have since been reinstated.Sixty other judges were also sacked but most have since been reinstated.
One reason for the failure to reinstate Mr Chaudhry is thought to be the fact that he challenged an amnesty given by Gen Musharraf that enabled Mr Zardari to return to Pakistan, on the grounds that Gen Musharraf's own rule could be illegal. One reason for the failure - until now - to reinstate Mr Chaudhry is thought to be the fact that he challenged an amnesty given by Gen Musharraf that enabled Asi Ali Zardari to return to Pakistan, where he won presidential elections last year.
Overturning the amnesty could leave Mr Zardari, the widower of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, exposed to corruption charges. If the amnesty was overturned, Mr Zardari, the widower of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, could be left exposed to corruption charges.
Scenes of jubilationScenes of jubilation
Mr Chaudhry's reinstatement on Sunday morning in Islamabad will be marked by a ceremonial flag-raising - but it has been deemed unnecessary for him to renew his oath of office. Mr Chaudhry's reinstatement as chief justice by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani triggered scenes of jubilation from Mr Chaudhry's supporters outside his home in Islamabad.
Mr Gilani announced his restoration, along with several other deposed judges, on Monday, triggering scenes of jubilation from Mr Chaudhry's supporters outside his home in Islamabad.
Q&A: Pakistan's political instabilityPakistanis hail reinstatementQ&A: Pakistan's political instabilityPakistanis hail reinstatement
The BBC's Barbara Plett, who was there, said the gathered lawyers and activists were in exultant mood, regarding this as the triumph of two years of struggle against both military and civilian governments.The BBC's Barbara Plett, who was there, said the gathered lawyers and activists were in exultant mood, regarding this as the triumph of two years of struggle against both military and civilian governments.
The opposition protests and unrest alarmed Western powers, and the US envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, hailed Mr Gilani's decision.The opposition protests and unrest alarmed Western powers, and the US envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, hailed Mr Gilani's decision.
Mr Gilani also said opposition activists and leaders detained over the past week of mounting disturbances would be freed and a ban on demonstrations in the capital and several provinces lifted.Mr Gilani also said opposition activists and leaders detained over the past week of mounting disturbances would be freed and a ban on demonstrations in the capital and several provinces lifted.
The government in Islamabad also asked the Supreme Court to review a ruling that banned opposition leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother from holding elected office.The government in Islamabad also asked the Supreme Court to review a ruling that banned opposition leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother from holding elected office.