Pakistan to Reinstate Chief Justice to Defuse Political Crisis

Pakistan agreed Monday to reinstate a fired chief justice, a government official said, a move that could help defuse a political crisis that has sparked street battles and raised fears of instability in the country at a time of surging Islamist violence.

Opposition leaders and lawyers had vowed to sit-in at the parliament later Monday until Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, known for his independence and willingness to challenge authority, was reinstated. The capital has been barricaded and scores of extra police brought in amid fears of violence.

"Yes, the chief justice is going to be restored," said a senior government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the prime minister was due formally announce the decision later Monday. He said Chaudhry would be sworn in on March 22, the day after the current chief justice was due to retire.

Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani would soon have "good news" for the country that would "end the crisis."

Chaudhry was fired by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007 after he took up cases challenging his rule, sparked a wave of protests that helped force Musharraf from power in 2008.