Posted on 03/17/2007 9:42:51 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - President Gen. Pervez Musharraf defended his decision to remove Pakistan's chief justice and insisted Saturday that he had no personal differences with the former top judge.
Musharraf has faced a growing crisis since March 9, when he suspended Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry over unspecified allegations that the judge had abused his authority.
Many lawyers, retired judges and opposition leaders consider Musharraf's action an effort to remove a strong-willed judge ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections.
On Friday police used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to stop supporters of Chaudhry from reaching the Supreme Court, where he was to appear before a panel of five judges hearing his case.
As Pakistan's Geo television broadcast the clashes, police entered its offices, kicking down doors and wrecking property. One of the channel's popular news shows was pulled off the air Thursday, apparently for its coverage of the legal crisis.
Addressing a rally Saturday in the eastern city of Pakpatan, Musharraf said he had "no personal differences" with Chaudhry, and had acted against the judge after receiving a case against him from the prime minister.
"I am blamed for everything," state-run Pakistan Television quoted him as saying.
Musharraf's comments came after authorities eased restrictions on Chaudhry and fired 15 police for attacking Geo television.
On Friday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court hearing the case against Chaudhry ruled that the restrictions on him be lifted.
Police did not prevent people from visiting Chaudhry on Saturday, a government official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. He said Chaudhry was also free to leave his home.
Meanwhile, police trying to halt a lawyers' rally in Lahore in support of Chaudhry fired tear gas and swung batons into the crowd; several newsmen and lawyers were injured in the clashes.
The case against Chaudhry, who is vowing to fight to keep his job, has been adjourned until March 21.
A Pakistani lawyer hurls back a tear gas shell towards the riot police during a rally against the removal of Pakistans Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, Saturday, March 17, 2007 in Lahore, Pakistan. The Pakistani president suspended Chaudhry on March 9, sparking protests by lawyers and opposition politicians, who accuse the government of undermining the independence of the judiciary in the run-up to elections. (AP Photo/K M Chaudary)
Has this been traced back to Karl Rove too?
Trust me, the MSM is workin' on it. ;-)
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