This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6909678.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Musharraf 'respects' court ruling | Musharraf 'respects' court ruling |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has said he will fully accept a court decision to reinstate the country's chief justice. | Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has said he will fully accept a court decision to reinstate the country's chief justice. |
| Iftikhar Chaudhry was suspended by the president in March amid claims of corruption, but the Supreme Court on Friday quashed all charges. | Iftikhar Chaudhry was suspended by the president in March amid claims of corruption, but the Supreme Court on Friday quashed all charges. |
| Mr Chaudhry has now become a focus of opposition to Gen Musharraf. | Mr Chaudhry has now 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 violence. | Gen Musharraf, who seized power in 1999, is facing mounting criticism of his rule and a wave of violence. |
| "The president respects the decision of the Supreme Court," Gen Musharraf's spokesman was quoted as saying by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan. | "The president respects the decision of the Supreme Court," Gen Musharraf's spokesman was quoted as saying by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan. |
| "The president has stated earlier that any judgement the Supreme Court arrives at will be honoured, respected and adhered to," the spokesman said. | "The president has stated earlier that any judgement the Supreme Court arrives at will be honoured, respected and adhered to," the spokesman said. |
| The government also said the case had no political motive. | The government also said the case had no political motive. |
| Jubilant crowds | Jubilant crowds |
| On Friday, the Supreme Court judges ruled by 10 votes to three to quash all charges against Mr Chaudhry, calling his suspension "illegal". | On Friday, the Supreme Court judges ruled by 10 votes to three to quash all charges against Mr Chaudhry, calling his suspension "illegal". |
| It is a victory for the entire nation Aitzaz Ahsan, Mr Chaudhry's lawyer Nightmare for Musharraf href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6910073.stm">Press delight at move Profile: Mohammad Chaudhry | |
| 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." |
| Judge Chaudhry is a staunch opponent of Gen Musharraf | Judge Chaudhry is a staunch opponent of Gen Musharraf |
| Officials alleged that several people had complained to the president that Mr Chaudhry had misused his office and received favours. In particular, he was 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 was 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 have been accusing 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 have been accusing 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. |
| 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 the 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 the recent siege of Islamabad's radical Red Mosque and a spate of bombings that have killed scores of people. |