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| Pakistan's top judge reinstated | Pakistan's top judge reinstated |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Pakistan's top court has reinstated the country's chief justice in a move being seen as a serious blow to the authority of President Pervez Musharraf. | Pakistan's top court has reinstated the country's chief justice in a move being seen as a serious blow to the authority of President Pervez Musharraf. |
| Iftikhar Chaudhry was suspended by the president four months ago amid claims of corruption, but has since become a focus of opposition to Gen Musharraf. | Iftikhar Chaudhry was suspended by the president four months ago amid claims of corruption, but has since become a focus of opposition to Gen Musharraf. |
| Gen Musharraf, who seized power in 1999, is facing mounting criticism of his rule and a wave of bombings. | Gen Musharraf, who seized power in 1999, is facing mounting criticism of his rule and a wave of bombings. |
| The government says it will respect the court's decision. | The government says it will respect the court's decision. |
| Critics of the president say the suspension was an attempt to undermine the judiciary's independence in an election year. | Critics of the president say the suspension was an attempt to undermine the judiciary's independence in an election year. |
| The Supreme Court judges ruled by 10 votes to three to quash all charges against Mr Chaudhry, calling his suspension "illegal". | The Supreme Court judges ruled by 10 votes to three to quash all charges against Mr Chaudhry, calling his suspension "illegal". |
| He [the chief justice] has been restored and it is a victory for the entire nation Aitzaz Ahsan, Mr Chaudhry's lawyer Judge 'was illegally held' Timeline: Legal crisis | He [the chief justice] has been restored and it is a victory for the entire nation Aitzaz Ahsan, Mr Chaudhry's lawyer Judge 'was illegally held' Timeline: Legal crisis |
| Delivering the court's verdict, presiding Judge Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday said: "The reference [against Mr Chaudhry] has been set aside and the chief justice has been reinstated." | Delivering the court's verdict, presiding Judge Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday said: "The reference [against Mr Chaudhry] has been set aside and the chief justice has been reinstated." |
| Lawyers applauded the ruling as it was read out, and jubilant crowds outside the court shouted chants of "Go Musharraf, go". | Lawyers applauded the ruling as it was read out, and jubilant crowds outside the court shouted chants of "Go Musharraf, go". |
| Mr Chaudhry's lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, told reporters: "He has been restored and it is a victory for the entire nation." | Mr Chaudhry's lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, told reporters: "He has been restored and it is a victory for the entire nation." |
| 'Mature nation' | 'Mature nation' |
| Gen Musharraf had earlier said he would accept the court's decision and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz issued a statement to this effect after the ruling. | Gen Musharraf had earlier said he would accept the court's decision and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz issued a statement to this effect after the ruling. |
| Lawyers outside the court celebrate the reinstatement | |
| "I would like to emphasise that we must all accept the verdict with grace and dignity, reflective of a mature nation. | "I would like to emphasise that we must all accept the verdict with grace and dignity, reflective of a mature nation. |
| "This is not the time to claim victory or defeat. The constitution and the law have prevailed and must prevail at all times," Mr Aziz said. | "This is not the time to claim victory or defeat. The constitution and the law have prevailed and must prevail at all times," Mr Aziz said. |
| The government said the case had no political motive. | The government said the case had no political motive. |
| Officials alleged that several people had complained to the president that Mr Chaudhry had misused his office and received favours. In particular, he is alleged to have procured a top police job for his son. | Officials alleged that several people had complained to the president that Mr Chaudhry had misused his office and received favours. In particular, he is alleged to have procured a top police job for his son. |
| But critics say the government has not shown similar zeal in pursuing more serious charges - such as financial embezzlement and property fraud - against other top judges. | But critics say the government has not shown similar zeal in pursuing more serious charges - such as financial embezzlement and property fraud - against other top judges. |
| They accuse the president of plotting to remove an independent-minded judge to forestall legal challenges to his plan to ask parliament for another five-year term in office. | They accuse the president of plotting to remove an independent-minded judge to forestall legal challenges to his plan to ask parliament for another five-year term in office. |
| High stakes | High stakes |
| Mr Chaudhry's suspension in March triggered mass protests. | Mr Chaudhry's suspension in March triggered mass protests. |
| He has become a highly controversial figure in recent months as he has toured the country. | He has become a highly controversial figure in recent months as he has toured the country. |
| Although he has not directly criticised Gen Musharraf, his campaign road show has definitely taken on the feel of a political campaign, the BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says. | Although he has not directly criticised Gen Musharraf, his campaign road show has definitely taken on the feel of a political campaign, the BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says. |
| The judicial crisis has been overshadowed by a recent siege of Islamabad's radical Red Mosque and a spate of bombings that have killed scores of people. | The judicial crisis has been overshadowed by a recent siege of Islamabad's radical Red Mosque and a spate of bombings that have killed scores of people. |
| On Tuesday, 15 people were killed at a rally Mr Chaudhry had been due to attend in Islamabad. It remains unclear who carried out the bombing or who the intended target might have been. | On Tuesday, 15 people were killed at a rally Mr Chaudhry had been due to attend in Islamabad. It remains unclear who carried out the bombing or who the intended target might have been. |
| On Friday, three civilians and one soldier were killed in a suicide attack in North Waziristan, a security official said. | On Friday, three civilians and one soldier were killed in a suicide attack in North Waziristan, a security official said. |
| What is your reaction to the Supreme Court ruling? Send us your comments using the form below. | What is your reaction to the Supreme Court ruling? Send us your comments using the form below. |