Pak SC Chief Justice told to leave his office

Islamabad, Nov 3: Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has reportedly refused to acknowledge the martial law imposed by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Soon after the decision to impose emergency in the country was taken that suspended the Constitution, troops encircled the Supreme Court building and blocked all the traffic movements in and around it.

Later the Chief Justice, who was reinstated after the Supreme Judicial Council ruled out his expulsion by Musharraf, was told by top officials to endorse the provisional constitutional order.

Justice Chaudhry and eight other judges, present inside the building at that time refuse to endorse the order.

Justice Chaudhry has been told that his "services are no longer required", private news channel reported.

The Supreme Court was expected to deliver its verdict on the validity of Musharraf's presidential candidature in the controversial October 6 presidential polls.

Many analysts had predicted that fear of an unfavourable verdict from the apex court might trigger Musharraf to declare emergency, a decision not finding favour from the US.

Martial law was today imposed in Pakistan once again in the country's sixtieth year of its formation.

The state-run television PTV announced that President Pervez Musharraf has issued a provisional constitutional order, declaring emergency in the country.

Musharraf, who is expected to address the nation tonight, earlier attended a high level meeting with his top aides where the decision to impose emergency was taken up.

ANI
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