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| Pakistan court halts judge probe | Pakistan court halts judge probe |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Pakistan's Supreme Court has suspended an inquiry into misconduct charges against the country's top judge. | Pakistan's Supreme Court has suspended an inquiry into misconduct charges against the country's top judge. |
| It ruled that the case of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry should instead be heard by the Supreme Court, as argued by the defendant himself. | It ruled that the case of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry should instead be heard by the Supreme Court, as argued by the defendant himself. |
| Mr Chaudhry, who is known for taking on government wrongdoing, was suspended by President Pervez Musharraf in March. | Mr Chaudhry, who is known for taking on government wrongdoing, was suspended by President Pervez Musharraf in March. |
| The decision triggered weeks of nationwide protests by disaffected lawyers and opposition parties. | The decision triggered weeks of nationwide protests by disaffected lawyers and opposition parties. |
| Anger over his sacking poses the biggest challenge to Gen Musharraf's rule since he seized power in 1999. | Anger over his sacking poses the biggest challenge to Gen Musharraf's rule since he seized power in 1999. |
| Mr Chaudhry says he is fighting for the independence of the judiciary but the protests in his favour have turned into a broader campaign against military rule, correspondents say. | Mr Chaudhry says he is fighting for the independence of the judiciary but the protests in his favour have turned into a broader campaign against military rule, correspondents say. |
| A lawyer representing the chief justice told reporters outside the court said that the judgement "vindicates our stance". | |
| 'Destruction' | 'Destruction' |
| The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Karachi says that the ruling is a victory for Mr Chaudhry and a setback for President Musharraf. | |
| Mr Chaudhry successfully argued that the Supreme Judicial Council would not hear his case fairly. | |
| Our correspondent says that the suspended judge believes that a full court bench comprising senior supreme court judges will give him a better chance of an impartial hearing. | Our correspondent says that the suspended judge believes that a full court bench comprising senior supreme court judges will give him a better chance of an impartial hearing. |
| Mr Chaudhry is used to petals been thrown by his supporters | Mr Chaudhry is used to petals been thrown by his supporters |
| He was challenging abuse of office allegations, including accusations that he procured a top police job for his son. | He was challenging abuse of office allegations, including accusations that he procured a top police job for his son. |
| On Sunday, Mr Chaudhry told a crowd of thousands in Lahore that dictatorships which ignore the rule of law face "destruction". | On Sunday, Mr Chaudhry told a crowd of thousands in Lahore that dictatorships which ignore the rule of law face "destruction". |
| However. he made no direct reference to President Pervez Musharraf. | However. he made no direct reference to President Pervez Musharraf. |
| There have been almost daily demonstrations by his supporters. | There have been almost daily demonstrations by his supporters. |
| For his part, President Musharraf has warned lawyers not to politicise the issue. | For his part, President Musharraf has warned lawyers not to politicise the issue. |
| "This is a constitutional and judicial issue and those giving it a political tone will not be successful in their designs," he said. | "This is a constitutional and judicial issue and those giving it a political tone will not be successful in their designs," he said. |
| The case is now due to be heard by the Supreme Court from 8 May onwards. |