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Pakistan judge protest escalates Pakistan judge protest escalates
(about 3 hours later)
Protesters are staging their biggest demonstration so far against the suspension of Pakistan's Supreme Court Chief Justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry. Protesters have staged their biggest demonstration so far against the suspension of Pakistan's Supreme Court Chief Justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry.
Some 2,000 people have gathered outside the court complex in Islamabad. Some 2,000 people gathered outside the court complex in Islamabad.
A panel of fellow judges there is hearing charges that Mr Chaudhry abused his office. A panel of fellow judges there has been hearing charges that Mr Chaudhry abused his office.
Correspondents say the removal of Mr Chaudhry is being seen as an attempt by Gen Musharraf to stifle judicial independence in an election year.Correspondents say the removal of Mr Chaudhry is being seen as an attempt by Gen Musharraf to stifle judicial independence in an election year.
Mr Chaudhry has a reputation for judicial activism in cases that have caused embarrassment to the government.Mr Chaudhry has a reputation for judicial activism in cases that have caused embarrassment to the government.
President Musharraf removed him from office on 9 March, triggering a wave of protests led by lawyers around the country.President Musharraf removed him from office on 9 March, triggering a wave of protests led by lawyers around the country.
ChantingChanting
BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the latest protests are again being led by lawyers, but there is a much bigger representation of political parties this time. BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the latest protests were again being led by lawyers, but there was a much bigger representation of political parties this time.
Protesters burn an effigy of President MusharrafProtesters burn an effigy of President Musharraf
The protesters, including Islamists as well as the secular Pakistan People's Party activists, are carrying the green, red and black flags. The protesters, including Islamists as well as the secular Pakistan People's Party activists, carried green, red and black flags.
They are demanding that Mr Chaudhry is reinstated and want President Musharraf to go. They were demanding that Mr Chaudhry be reinstated and want President Musharraf to go.
"Go Musharraf, go" and "Musharraf is America's pet dog", are among the chants. "Go Musharraf, go" and "Musharraf is America's pet dog", were among the chants.
Hundreds of paramilitary troops and baton-wielding riot police have been deployed to keep order. Hundreds of paramilitary troops and baton-wielding riot police were deployed to keep order.
Mr Chaudhry has taken a lead in cases involving the controversial privatisation of state assets and the fate of missing people allegedly abducted by the security forces.Mr Chaudhry has taken a lead in cases involving the controversial privatisation of state assets and the fate of missing people allegedly abducted by the security forces.
The main charge against Mr Chaudhry is that he used his authority to have his son appointed to a prestigious government position.The main charge against Mr Chaudhry is that he used his authority to have his son appointed to a prestigious government position.
Mr Chaudhry denies any wrongdoing, and has called for the closed hearings to be held in public.Mr Chaudhry denies any wrongdoing, and has called for the closed hearings to be held in public.