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Pakistan's Top Justice Returns to Jubilation

Reinstated judge calls for end to corruption

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 24, 2009 8:21 AM CDT

(Newser) – Pakistan's chief justice triumphantly returned to the bench today, reports the BBC, as supporters showered him with rose petals outside the supreme court in Islamabad. Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry was suspended by former president Pervez Musharraf during the 2007 state of emergency. Last week current president Asif Ali Zardari finally fulfilled a campaign pledge to reinstate him after a lawyers' movement and supporters of ex-PM Nawaz Sharif joined in massive protests.

The president's reluctance to reinstate the chief justice is believed to stem from fears that the courts might invalidate the amnesty Musharraf offered Zardari, long suspected of corruption, when he returned from exile. Outside the courthouse today Chaudhry called on celebrating lawyers to fight corruption, even in the judiciary: "I will request all of you, being officers of this court, to put your house in order first."

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, the Pakistani chief justice whose ouster sparked tremendous political turmoil, made a return to his office Tuesday following calls for reconciliation. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Supporters of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry dance as he arrives at the Supreme Court compound in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, March 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Pakistani police officers escort the car of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry as it entered the Supreme Court compound in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Tuesday, March 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Supporters of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry hold rose petals as he entered the Supreme Court compound in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, March 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Supporters of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry throw rose petals on his car as it entered the Supreme Court compound in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Tuesday, March 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

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Jubilant lawyers threw rose petals at Pakistan's Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry as he returned to work on Tuesday, more than a year after he was sacked by former President General Pervez Musharraf. (AsianNewsIndia)

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Pakistan's Top Justice Returns to Jubilation