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Pakistan judge row sparks arrests Pakistan judge row sparks arrests
(about 4 hours 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 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. Police kept a low profile as Monday's protests passed off largely peacefully in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
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 PartyThey 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. The authorities had warned that anyone taking to the streets would be dealt with.
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. But in the end, protests were allowed to go ahead.
"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. The BBC's Alastair Lawson say they passed peacefully even though an effigy of President Musharraf was set on fire and beaten with sticks in front of the Punjab high court.
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.The six-party MMA Islamic alliance has also been demonstrating against Mr Chaudhry's suspension.
ElectionsElections
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 angerIftikhar 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.