Chief Justice celebrates as Supreme Court reinstates him, lawyer comment

(20 Jul 2007) SHOTLIST
1. Various of Pakistan Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, receiving greetings and hugging friends and supporters at his home
2. Set up of Aitzaz Ahsan, Chaudhry's main lawyer in the trial, with journalists
3. SOUNDBITE (English): Aitzaz Ahsan, Chaudhry's chief counsel:
"It will have a positive impact for the independence of the judiciary, for the strengthening of institutions and for democracy. It's big blow to the (Pakistan President Pervez) Musharraf regime and government. And it's a big blow to dictatorship. It's something that we were looking forward to, the people of Pakistan have joined in a long and arduous struggle."
4. Close of raised hands of chanting lawyers UPSOUND (English): ''Go Musharraf go!''
5. Pan across throng of celebrating lawyers at the main entrance of the supreme court UPSOUND (English): ''Go Musharraf go!''
6. Wide shot of lawyers celebrating and marching on the street, protected by armed security
7. Various of lawyers marching and shouting on the street UPSOUND: (Urdu) "Musharraf, dog! Military, dogs!"
8. Various of armed security walking ahead of the lawyers
9. Pull focus from group of chanting lawyers to close of gun in the hands of a member of armed personnel
STORYLINE:
Pakistan's top judge was celebrating his victory on Friday, after being reinstated by the country's Supreme Court which ruled that his suspension by key US ally President Pervez Musharraf was "illegal" - a verdict trumpeted by lawyers and the opposition as a triumph for democracy.
By a 10-3 vote, the judges also quashed a case of alleged misconduct against Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry that Musharraf had referred to a separate judicial panel.
The verdict is a major blow to Musharraf's standing and probably the biggest challenge to his dominance since he seized power in a coup in 1999.
Presiding Justice Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday said Musharraf's order suspending Chaudhry was "set aside as being illegal."
Chaudhry's March 9 suspension had sparked protests by lawyers and opposition parties that have grown into a powerful pro-democracy movement just as Musharraf faces a rising tide of Islamic militancy.
In a brief statement, Musharraf accepted the verdict.
As lawyers celebrated outside the court in Islamabad, Chaudhry's chief counsel, Aitzaz Ahsan, told reporters that the decision was "a victory for the entire nation."
"It will have a positive impact for the independence of the judiciary, for the strengthening of institutions and for democracy. It's big blow to the Musharraf regime and government. And it's a big blow to dictatorship," said Ahsan.
Lawyers swarmed around the attorney, chanting "Go Musharraf go!"
They carried celebrations into the streets of Islamabad, chanting anti-Musharraf slogans, as they marched behind a protective cadre of armed security.
The verdict also prompted celebrations by gatherings of hundreds of lawyers in major cities including Karachi, Multan, Faisalabad, Quetta, Peshawar and Rawalpindi.
The ruling was welcomed by former leaders and human rights activists.
The United States, often viewed in Pakistan as reluctant to criticise Musharraf's democratic credentials because of his importance in combating al-Qaida and the Taliban, also reacted positively.
Musharraf suspended Chaudhry for allegedly pulling rank to secure a police job for his son and enjoying unwarranted privileges such as the use of government aircraft.
The government insists the case had no political motive and that Musharraf had little choice under the Constitution but to suspend Chaudhry.

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