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Pakistan's top judge reinstated Pakistan's top judge reinstated
(about 1 hour later)
Pakistan's Supreme Court has ruled that Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry should be reinstated. 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.
He was suspended in March by President Musharraf, after being accused of misusing his office for personal gain. 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.
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. Gen Musharraf, who seized power in 1999, is facing mounting criticism of his rule and a wave of bombings.
Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of opposition to Gen Musharraf, addressing protest rallies around the country. 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".
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
The BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says jubilant supporters of the judge celebrated victory on the steps of the Supreme Court. 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 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".
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.
Accusations
Lawyers representing Mr Chaudhry had 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 Musharraf
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."
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'
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.
Judge Chaudhry is a staunch opponent of Gen Musharraf
"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 stakesHigh 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 roadshow has definitely taken on the feel of a political campaign, our correspondent 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.
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