Pakistani Chief Justice Chaudhry restored

On July 20 and after a 10-3 verdict, Pakistani Supreme Court decided to restore embattled Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. The Government expressed its acceptance of restoration. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the government accepted the verdict and this was not the time "to claim victory or defeat."  This verdict concludes another thorny issue in the hand of the Pakistani government. It closes a conflict front President Gen. Pervez Musharraf had very little chances of wining.   In the past months, demonstration in favour of Chaudhry showed enourmous discontent against Musharraf. Later today, President Musharraf confirmed the general elections would be held on time; a caretaker government would be set up before the general election under the constitution. He also called for an All Parties Conference to evolve a common strategy to rid the country of the malaise of extremism and terrorism.

 

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Since the storming of Red Mosque last week where 75 pro-Taliban militants died, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Pakistan has experienced a new wave of terrorist suicide bombings. To this day, there is a death toll of 130 people across Pakistan in a single week.  Some analysts concluded these attacks were aimed at undermining Pakistani support for US and NATO policy in Afghanistan and Al Qaeda  and demoralise its security forces. At the domestic front, President Musharraf will have to deal with a middle class and young professional opposition while trying to appease extremist demands and military discomfort

 

Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was suspended by President Pervez Musharraf on March 9, 2007. Suspension was backed by allegations that Chaudhry abused his position to obtain a top police job for his son and other privileges for himself. Opposition accused Musharraf of removing an independent-minded judge to stop short legal challenges to his plan to ask lawmakers for another presidential term. The Supreme Court started hearing of an appeal of against his suspension on April 18, 2007. Chaudhry challenged Musharraf's decision to suspend him; thus,  he was also under trial for alleged misconduct. The Supreme Court decided in favour of Chaudhry after a 43-day hearing. His removal from Chief Justice post was considered as illegal. The veredic prompted massive celebrations.  Speaking from London, Ex Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto welcomed the reinstatement verdict. She said this would help defuse some of the frustration in the streets of Pakistan

 

Sources:Dawn  Xinxua LA Times IPSNews BBC APP The Nation Al Jazeera, PBC The News RFI PR Inside Rferl PressTV NY Times Times of India Voice of America Guardian

 

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