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Pakistan Chief Justice reinstated as SC gives historic decision |
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Updated at:
1715
PST, Friday, July 20, 2007 |
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ISLAMABAD: A 13-member full court of the Supreme Court on Friday gave historic verdict to reinstate Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and quashed misconduct charges filed against him by President Pervez Musharraf.
The announcement sparked massive celebrations by lawyers who had spent the day waiting outside the court for the verdict.
Chaudhry was suspended in March, following allegations that he abused his position, notably to obtain a top police job for his son and other privileges for himself.
"The reference of the president dated March 9, 2007 is set aside," presiding judge Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday told the court, announcing the panel of judges had reached a 10-3 decision in Chaudhry's favour after a 43-day hearing.
"As a further consequence, the petitioner, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, shall be deemed to be holding the said office and shall always be deemed to have been so holding the same," he said.
The Supreme Court started hearing of an appeal of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry against his suspension by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf on April 18.
Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry had challenged Musharraf's decision to suspend him and he was under trial for alleged misconduct.
The lead counsel for the chief justice Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan had filed a petition against presidential reference under article 184-III of constitution.
Aitzaz Ahsan had completed his arguments during the hearing today after which head of a 13-member full court bench of Supreme Court Justice Khalilur Rahman Ramday announced the brief verdict.
On this occasion, special security arrangements were made outside the Supreme Court by posting heavy contingents of police.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the government accepted the Supreme Court's decision to reinstate the country's top judge but added it was "not the time to claim victory or defeat."
"I have just learnt of the Supreme Court decision. I have always maintained that the decision by the honourable court must be accepted by all sections of the people including the government itself," Aziz said in a statement.
"This is not the time to claim victory or defeat. The constitution and the law have prevailed and must prevail at all times," he added. |
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ISSN 1563-9479 
