Chaudhry's reinstatement big blow to Musharraf

Islamabad, July 20: In a major blow to President Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistan Supreme Court today ordered reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, terming his suspension ''illegal''. In a historic ruling, four months after Justice Chaudhry was sacked, the Presidential order suspending him was set aside 10:3 by a 13-member bench.

The bench, presided over by Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday, ruled that Justice Chaudhry ''shall deem to hold office from March nine'', the day he was supended.

The court also declared the appointment of acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas as unlawful.

Justice Chaudhry's compulsory forced leave from March 15 was declared ultra vires of the Constitution. ''The decision appears to have been taken without lawful authority.'' A buoyant Justice Chaudhry said he resumed office at 1630 hrs.

''Consequent upon the decision of the 13-member bench.. I have resumed office at 1630 hrs,'' he said in a note circulated to the media.

Mr Tariq Mehmood, counsel for Justice Chaudhry, described the ruling as ''a big victory for us''. He said it would save the country and boost the independence of the judiciary.

Celebrations broke out in front of the courtroom with jubilant lawyers and Justice Chaudhry's supporters shouting victory slogans. They jeered the Musharraf regime and raised anti-Musharraf slogans.

Justice Chaudhry has been leading a nationwide resistance movement against Gen Musharraf after defying pressure from the President to quit his post. His protest rallies have aften witnessed violence and his suspension had become a hot political issue with the opposition parties raking it up in view of the impending elections in the country.

Reuters adds Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who hopes to return from self-exiled for elections and has held talks with President Musharraf's emissaries over a possible deal, said the ruling could calm down Pakistan's political scene.

''I welcome the development of this restoration of the chief justice ... this will help defuse some of the frustrations but not all of the frustrations,'' she told journalists in London.

President Musharraf had earlier said he would accept whatever decision the court reached, and his Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz issued a statement saying much the same.

''I would like to emphasise that we must all accept the verdict with grace and dignity reflective of a mature nation.

''This is not the time to claim victory or defeat. The constitution and the law have prevailed and must prevail at all times,'' Mr Aziz said.

UNI