Pakistan’s top judge is expected to launch a bold attempt to thwart President Musharraf’s quest for a new five-year term in office after being reinstated by the Supreme Court.

In an historic ruling yesterday the court annulled General Musharraf’s decision to suspend Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The 13-member bench also quashed charges of corruption and misconduct against him.

The ruling, the first time in Pakistan’s history that the superior judiciary has stood up to a military ruler, prompted celebrations by thousands of Chief Justice Chaudhry’s supporters. It dealt a serious blow to the authority of General Musharraf at a time of extraordinary turmoil across the country. The verdict is likely to embolden pro-democracy activists calling for the general’s removal.

There is mounting criticism of his Government for its handling of the Chaudhry affair and for its inability to contain a wave of suicide bombings that have brought bloody mayhem from the lawless tribal areas to the heart of Islamabad, the capital.

Yesterday Washington welcomed the Supreme Court decision. But there is likely to be concern in the White House that Chief Justice Chaudhry’s reinstatement could hasten the departure of General Musharraf, who has been a key ally in the US-led War on Terror since 9/11. Reinstated by ten votes to three, Chief Justice Chaudhry is expected to challenge General Musharraf’s plan to remain as head of the army while standing as a candidate in presidential elections that are due to take place in October.

General Musharraf has denied that Chief Justice Chaudhry was suspended for political reasons. Officials say that the judge misused his office and received favours. The claims have been dismissed by Chief Justice Chaudhry’s supporters, including senior members of the Pakistani judiciary.

Justice Khalil Ur Rehman Ramday, the most senior Supreme Court judge, said that the suspension of the Chief Justice was in direct conflict with the Constitution. Hundreds of lawyers and political activists who had thronged the court compound greeted the judgment with anti-government slogans. “Go Musharraf, go,” they chanted. “It is victory for the entire nation,” declared Munir Malik, the president of the Pakistan Bar Association.

Shaukat Aziz, the Prime Minister, said that his Government would accept the ruling and appealed for national unity: “We must all accept the verdict with grace and dignity reflective of a mature nation.”

Asma Jahangir, chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said: “It’s very clear that guns and intimidation will not bow down civil society or civil institutions of Pakistan.”

Chief Justice Chaudhry had become the focus of opposition to the President since his controversial removal from office on March 9. As he was mobbed by wellwishers yesterday, he said: “Thank you. Pray for me.”

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