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Pakistan's top judge reinstated Pakistan's top judge reinstated
(40 minutes later)
Pakistan's Supreme Court has ruled that Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry should be reinstated.Pakistan's Supreme Court has ruled that Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry should be reinstated.
He was suspended in March by President Musharraf, after being accused of misusing his office for personal gain.He was suspended in March by President Musharraf, after being accused of misusing his office for personal gain.
Supreme Court judges ruled by 10 to three to quash all charges against the chief justice and reinstate him, calling his suspension "illegal". The Supreme Court ruled by 10 to three to quash all charges against the judge, calling his suspension "illegal". The government says it respects the ruling.
Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of opposition to the president, addressing protest rallies around the country. Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of opposition to Gen Musharraf, addressing protest rallies around the country.
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 judiciary is here not as rivals, monitors or superiors to any institution Presiding judge Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday 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
The BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says jubilant supporters of the judge are celebrating victory on the steps of the Supreme Court. The BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says jubilant supporters of the judge celebrated victory on the steps of the Supreme Court.
Lawyers applauded the ruling as it was read out, and crowds outside the court shouted chants of "Go Musharraf, go".
Observers say the ruling will be a major blow to the president, who has faced mounting opposition to his rule and a wave of bombings around the country in recent days.Observers say the ruling will be a major blow to the president, who has faced mounting opposition to his rule and a wave of bombings around the country in recent days.
The chief justice's defiance is seen as the biggest challenge to the president, who seized power in 1999 and remains army chief.
AccusationsAccusations
Lawyers representing Mr Chaudhry completed the presentation of their case on Friday. Lawyers representing Mr Chaudhry had demanded that he not only be reinstated as chief justice, but that all charges against him be dropped.
They demanded that he not only be reinstated as chief justice, but that all charges against him be dropped.
Judge Chaudhry is a staunch opponent of Gen MusharrafJudge Chaudhry is a staunch opponent of Gen Musharraf
Mr Chaudhry had appealed against Gen Musharraf's decision to suspend him and have a judicial panel investigate him for the alleged abuse of office.
The court had to decide whether Gen Musharraf over-reached his powers and whether the charges against the chief judge should be pursued further.The court had to decide whether Gen Musharraf over-reached his powers and whether the charges against the chief judge should be pursued further.
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."
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."
Government officials had alleged that several people had filed complaints with the president, accusing Mr Chaudhry of misusing his office and receiving favours. In particular, he is alleged to have procured a top police job for his son. 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.
The government says the case has no political motive. "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.
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.
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 stakesHigh stakes
Mr Chaudhry's suspension in March triggered mass protests.Mr Chaudhry's suspension in March triggered mass protests.
The row is seen by some as Gen Musharraf's biggest challenge 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 calling for an end to political interference in the judiciary. Although he has not directly criticised Gen Musharraf, his campaign roadshow has definitely taken on the feel of a political campaign, our correspondent says.
Although he has not directly criticised Gen Musharraf, his campaign roadshow has definitely taken on the feel of a political campaign, Dan Isaacs 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 legal issues are highly complex, our correspondent says, but what is at stake is fundamental - will Gen Musharraf be able to stay on as army chief as well as president, and will his re-election be decided by the current or next parliament? 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.
Many people expect there to be a compromise allowing the chief justice to remain in office but barring him from making any decisions which concern Gen Musharraf's political future, our correspondent says. 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.
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