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Pakistan judge verdict expected Pakistan judge verdict expected
(40 minutes later)
Pakistan's Supreme Court is considering whether or not the country's chief judge should be reinstated.Pakistan's Supreme Court is considering whether or not the country's chief judge should be reinstated.
Iftikhar Chaudhry was removed in March on the orders of President Pervez Musharraf, after being accused of misusing his office for personal gain.Iftikhar Chaudhry was removed in March on the orders of President Pervez Musharraf, after being accused of misusing his office for personal gain.
Mr Chaudhry's supporters have said it was an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary.Mr Chaudhry's supporters have said it was an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary.
The suspension triggered mass protests. On Tuesday, a bomb attack on a rally of Chaudhry supporters killed 15 people.The suspension triggered mass protests. On Tuesday, a bomb attack on a rally of Chaudhry supporters killed 15 people.
Mr Chaudhry was due to attend the rally, in the capital, Islamabad. It remains unclear who carried out the attack or who the intended target might have been.Mr Chaudhry was due to attend the rally, in the capital, Islamabad. It remains unclear who carried out the attack or who the intended target might have been.
Gen Musharraf has strongly condemned the "terrorist attack" and called for calm.Gen Musharraf has strongly condemned the "terrorist attack" and called for calm.
The judicial crisis, however, has been overshadowed by a recent siege of Islamabad's radical Red Mosque and a spate of bombings that have killed scores of people.The judicial crisis, however, has been overshadowed by a recent siege of Islamabad's radical Red Mosque and a spate of bombings that have killed scores of people.
More than 40 people were killed in three separate bomb attacks on Thursday, officials say.
On Friday, three civilians and one soldier were killed in a suicide attack in North Waziristan, a security official said.
AccusationsAccusations
The Supreme Court is expected on Friday to announce its verdict on Mr Chaudhry's appeal against Gen Musharraf's decision to suspend him and have a judicial panel investigate him for the alleged abuse of office.The Supreme Court is expected on Friday to announce its verdict on Mr Chaudhry's appeal against Gen Musharraf's decision to suspend him and have a judicial panel investigate him for the alleged abuse of office.
A controversial figure, Chaudhry has considerable supportA controversial figure, Chaudhry has considerable support
The court has to decide whether Gen Musharraf overreached his powers and whether the charges against the chief judge should be pursued further.The court has to decide whether Gen Musharraf overreached his powers and whether the charges against the chief judge should be pursued further.
Government officials say that several people have filed complaints with the president accusing Mr Chaudhry of misusing his office and receiving favours.Government officials say that several people have filed complaints with the president accusing Mr Chaudhry of misusing his office and receiving favours.
In particular, he is alleged to have procured a top police job for his son.In particular, he is alleged to have procured a top police job for his son.
The government says the case has no political motive.The government says the case has no political motive.
But critics say that concerns about corruption in high places are not an issue with the present government.But critics say that concerns about corruption in high places are not an issue with the present government.
They point out that there are more serious charges - such as financial embezzlement and property fraud - against other top judges.They point out that there are more serious charges - such as financial embezzlement and property fraud - against other top judges.
They accuse the president of plotting to remove an independent-minded judge to forestall legal challenges to his plan to ask the parliament for another five-year term in office.They accuse the president of plotting to remove an independent-minded judge to forestall legal challenges to his plan to ask the parliament for another five-year term in office.
High stakesHigh stakes
The row is seen by some as Gen Musharraf's biggest challengeThe row is seen by some as Gen Musharraf's biggest challenge
Mr Chaudhry has become a highly controversial figure in Pakistan in recent months, addressing rallies across the country to call for an end to political interference in the judiciary.Mr Chaudhry has become a highly controversial figure in Pakistan in recent months, addressing rallies across the country to call for an end to political interference in the judiciary.
Although he has not directly criticised President Musharraf, his campaign road show has definitely taken on the feel of a political campaign, the BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says.Although he has not directly criticised President Musharraf, his campaign road show has definitely taken on the feel of a political campaign, the BBC's Dan Isaacs in Islamabad says.
The legal issues are highly complex, our correspondent says, but what is at stake is fundamental - will Gen Musharraf be able to stay on as army chief as well as president, and will his re-election be decided by the current or next parliament?The legal issues are highly complex, our correspondent says, but what is at stake is fundamental - will Gen Musharraf be able to stay on as army chief as well as president, and will his re-election be decided by the current or next parliament?
Many people expect there to be a compromise allowing the chief justice to remain in office but barring him from making any decisions which concern Gen Musharraf's political future, our correspondent says.Many people expect there to be a compromise allowing the chief justice to remain in office but barring him from making any decisions which concern Gen Musharraf's political future, our correspondent says.