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Pakistan PM's First Move Flouts Musharraf

Gilani takes office, orders judges jailed by president freed

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 24, 2008 4:01 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Yousaf Raza Gilani ordered the release of 60 judges detained by Pervez Musharraf only minutes after being elected Pakistan's prime minister today, CBS reports. The president replaced the judges with a friendlier crop after imposing a state of emergency in November. If the freed justices are reinstated, a renewed legal challenge to Musharraf's election could ensue.

Dismissed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was hearing a suit challenging Musharraf's election while still army chief of staff. “If this release of judges is the first step towards their eventual rehabilitation, it is possible that Chaudhry will return to hear the case," says a leader from Gilani's Pakistan People's Party. A mass return to the bench remains "a distant prospect," one official said.

Pakistan's deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry waves to his supporters from the balcony of his residence after his release, Monday, March, 24, 2008 in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Pakistan's deposed chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry waves to his supporters from the balcony of his residence after his release, Monday, March, 24, 2008 in Islamabad, Pakistan.   (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Yousaf Raza Gillani, arrives at Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, March 19, 2008.
Yousaf Raza Gillani, arrives at Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, March 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
Yousuf Raza Gillani, center, arrives at Parliament House to attend the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.
Yousuf Raza Gillani, center, arrives at Parliament House to attend the assembly's first session in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto listens to Yousaf Raza Gillani, during a central executive meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007.
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto listens to Yousaf Raza Gillani, during a central executive meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007.   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, center, son of Pakistan's slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto arrives at the Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March. 24, 2008.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, center, son of Pakistan's slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto arrives at the Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan on Monday, March. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
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Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry • Iftikhar Chaudhry • Pakistan People's Party • Pakistan judges • Yusuf Raza Gillani

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