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Pakistan judge row sparks arrests | Pakistan judge row sparks arrests |
(30 minutes later) | |
Pakistani police have detained at least 200 opposition supporters ahead of fresh protests over the suspension of the chief justice, the opposition says. | Pakistani police have detained at least 200 opposition supporters ahead of fresh protests over the suspension of the chief justice, the opposition says. |
Raids continued into early Monday in Lahore and other parts of Punjab province, opposition parties said. | Raids continued into early Monday in Lahore and other parts of Punjab province, opposition parties said. |
They say the president's move to sack Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry for alleged misuse of office is illegal. | They say the president's move to sack Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry for alleged misuse of office is illegal. |
There have been frequent protests, some violent, since Mr Chaudhry's removal and many lawyers are boycotting courts. | There have been frequent protests, some violent, since Mr Chaudhry's removal and many lawyers are boycotting courts. |
Many observers say Mr Chaudhry was removed because President Musharraf needs a pliant judiciary in a general election year. | Many observers say Mr Chaudhry was removed because President Musharraf needs a pliant judiciary in a general election year. |
Correspondents say the general also wants to legalise his own re-election without being forced to give up the post of head of the army. | Correspondents say the general also wants to legalise his own re-election without being forced to give up the post of head of the army. |
'Crackdown' | 'Crackdown' |
The Punjab government has not confirmed how many opposition supporters are in custody. | The Punjab government has not confirmed how many opposition supporters are in custody. |
They are conducting raids and arresting our workers. It is a crackdown on political opponents Raja Pervez Ashraf, Pakistan People's Party | They are conducting raids and arresting our workers. It is a crackdown on political opponents Raja Pervez Ashraf, Pakistan People's Party |
Television footage over the weekend showed party activists being bundled into vans. | Television footage over the weekend showed party activists being bundled into vans. |
State media said there was a ban on gatherings in the Punjab capital, Lahore, while several thousand security personnel were on duty in the city. | State media said there was a ban on gatherings in the Punjab capital, Lahore, while several thousand security personnel were on duty in the city. |
"Anyone who will try to take to the streets will be dealt with according to the law," said Lahore's police chief Malik Mohammed Iqbal, the Associated Press reported. | "Anyone who will try to take to the streets will be dealt with according to the law," said Lahore's police chief Malik Mohammed Iqbal, the Associated Press reported. |
Many of the arrested activists came from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), one of the main groups in the umbrella Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD), the PPP said. | Many of the arrested activists came from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), one of the main groups in the umbrella Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD), the PPP said. |
One of its MPs, Raja Pervez Ashraf, condemned what he called a "crackdown" on the government's political opponents. | One of its MPs, Raja Pervez Ashraf, condemned what he called a "crackdown" on the government's political opponents. |
The six-party MMA Islamic alliance has also been demonstrating against Mr Chaudhry's suspension. | |
Elections | Elections |
The judge at the centre of the crisis has a reputation for judicial independence which is said to have irritated President Musharraf. | The judge at the centre of the crisis has a reputation for judicial independence which is said to have irritated President Musharraf. |
Iftikhar Chaudhry has become a focal point for anger | Iftikhar Chaudhry has become a focal point for anger |
The main charge against Iftikhar Chaudhry is that he used his authority to have his son appointed in a prestigious government position. | The main charge against Iftikhar Chaudhry is that he used his authority to have his son appointed in a prestigious government position. |
Mr Chaudhry denies any wrongdoing. | Mr Chaudhry denies any wrongdoing. |
Analysts say the situation has been made worse by the use of force against protesting lawyers, independent TV stations and the chief justice himself. | Analysts say the situation has been made worse by the use of force against protesting lawyers, independent TV stations and the chief justice himself. |
A delay of several weeks before producing a full charge sheet further undermined the government's position, correspondents say. | A delay of several weeks before producing a full charge sheet further undermined the government's position, correspondents say. |
The allegations against Mr Chaudhry are being looked into by the Supreme Judicial Council. It has already held two hearings. A third, due last week, was put off until 3 April. | The allegations against Mr Chaudhry are being looked into by the Supreme Judicial Council. It has already held two hearings. A third, due last week, was put off until 3 April. |
On Monday, Pakistan's next most senior judge, Rana Bhagwandas, began his first day as acting chief justice after being sworn in on Saturday. | On Monday, Pakistan's next most senior judge, Rana Bhagwandas, began his first day as acting chief justice after being sworn in on Saturday. |
Mr Bhagwandas, a Hindu, was on a trip abroad when the crisis started on 9 March. He is only the second non-Muslim to head Pakistan's judiciary. | Mr Bhagwandas, a Hindu, was on a trip abroad when the crisis started on 9 March. He is only the second non-Muslim to head Pakistan's judiciary. |