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Pakistan judge to regain top post Pakistan judge regains top post
(about 2 hours later)
Pakistan's sacked Supreme Court chief justice is due to be returned to his post after mass protests by opposition parties and activist lawyers. Pakistan's sacked Supreme Court chief justice has formally returned to his post following months of mass protests by opposition activists.
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. Iftikhar Chaudhry's reinstatement was marked by a ceremonial flag-raising.
The government buckled to opposition demands over Mr Chaudhry on Monday, prompting a big rally to be called off. Correspondents say the government's decision to reinstate Mr Chaudhry on Monday was a response to opposition threats to call a huge rally.
Mr Chaudhry was dismissed by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007. Mr Chaudhry and 60 other judges were dismissed by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007.
Sixty other judges were also sacked but most have since been reinstated. Most of the judges have since been reinstated.
'Victory for judiciary'
Mr Chaudhry formally resumed his post at midnight on Saturday.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Monday he would return to his job after current Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar quit the post.
But the government clearly acted under pressure from the opposition, who had staged mass protest rallies for several days, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says.
Mr Chaudhry's return has been hailed as a victory for an independent judiciary in Pakistan, our correspondent says.
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.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.
If the amnesty was overturned, Mr Zardari, the widower of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, could be left 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 jubilation Mr Chaudhry's return could open up new battles for the presidency, our correspondent says.
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. Government's pledge
Q&A: Pakistan's political instabilityPakistanis hail reinstatement Our correspondent says the opposition have been jubilant at Mr Chaudhry's return, regarding it as the triumph of two years of struggle against both military and civilian governments. Q&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 opposition protests and unrest had 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. Announcing Mr Chaudhry's reinstatement, 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.