Judge ouster: Fresh Pakistan rallies held
Friday, May 4, 2007
LAWYERS and opposition parties held fresh anti-government rallies yesterday as Pakistan struggled with a judicial crisis triggered by President Pervez Musharraf's removal of the country's top judge.
Hundreds of lawyers and workers of opposition parties protested outside the Supreme Court in the capital, where Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry is fighting a legal battle against his dismissal for alleged misconduct.
Musharraf moved against Chaudhry on March 9, sending charges of abuse of authority for inquiry by a five-judge panel and sparking uproar from opposition parties, who called it an attempt to intimidate the judiciary.
Rallies have been held regularly, and lawyers in cities and towns have boycotted courts on each day of hearings to demand reinstatement of Chaudhry.
The Supreme Judicial Council, which is hearing the controversial case, adjourned proceedings yesterday until May 9 after Chaudhry's lawyers concluded arguments about the validity and composition of the judicial council.AFP
Hundreds of lawyers and workers of opposition parties protested outside the Supreme Court in the capital, where Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry is fighting a legal battle against his dismissal for alleged misconduct.
Musharraf moved against Chaudhry on March 9, sending charges of abuse of authority for inquiry by a five-judge panel and sparking uproar from opposition parties, who called it an attempt to intimidate the judiciary.
Rallies have been held regularly, and lawyers in cities and towns have boycotted courts on each day of hearings to demand reinstatement of Chaudhry.
The Supreme Judicial Council, which is hearing the controversial case, adjourned proceedings yesterday until May 9 after Chaudhry's lawyers concluded arguments about the validity and composition of the judicial council.AFP
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