Thousands cheer Pakistan's suspended judge as he travels to protest rally
The Associated Press
Saturday, June 16, 2007
FAISALABAD, Pakistan: Thousands of people chanting "Down with dictatorship" cheered Pakistan's suspended chief justice as he drove through the country to attend a rally Sunday criticizing the military-led government.
Many lawyers and opposition supporters have joined street protests against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf since March 9, when he ousted top judge Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry for alleged misconduct.
Chaudhry has appealed his suspension before the Supreme Court, turning himself into a rallying point for political parties seeking the restoration of democracy.
On Saturday, crowds cheered Chaudhry in towns and villages as he drove from Islamabad toward the industrial city of Faisalabad, about 250 kilometers (150 miles) to the south.
An estimated 20,000 people turned out in Chakwal, a city near the halfway mark, to welcome the judge.
Hundreds of vehicles filled with supporters joined the motorcade along the route, slowing its progress, and it was unclear when the judge would reach Faisalabad, where organizers expected another big crowd on Sunday.
At Chakwal, one of Chaudhry's lawyers demanded that Musharraf resign, saying he had harmed democracy and the judiciary.
"Our struggle is for the independence of the judiciary," Ali Ahmad Kurd told reporters, adding that "we are confident that we will succeed, the people of Pakistan will succeed, and this day is not far away."
The furor over Chaudhry's ouster has presented Musharraf with his worst political crisis since he seized power in a 1999 coup by toppling the government of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Musharraf's term as president expires in October, and he has said he will ask lawmakers to grant him another five years.
However, opposition leaders insist that he seek a new mandate only after parliamentary elections due by January in which they expect to make gains.
They are also pressing him to give up his dual role as head of the army — the real source of his power.
Despite facing criticism at home, Musharraf still enjoys the support of his fellow generals and of Washington, which has given Pakistan billions of dollars (euros) in return for its help against al-Qaida and the Taliban.
U.S. officials are insisting that the parliamentary elections should be free and fair, but have put little public pressure on Musharraf to restore full civilian rule.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/17/asia/AS-GEN-Pakistan-Judicial-Crisis.php
