Pakistani protesters clash with police over judge

By Kamran Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani police fired teargas, detained about 150 activists and raided a television station on Friday as protesters took to the streets to denounce the government's suspension of the country's chief judge.

The government moved to sack Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary a week ago, sparking protests by lawyers and uniting disparate opposition parties against President Pervez Musharraf, who is expected to seek election for another term late this year.

A panel of judges considering the case against Chaudhary at a hearing at the Supreme Court ordered restrictions on him be lifted, Chaudhary's lawyers said.

"We can say it is a step forward," one of his lawyers, Tariq Mehmud, told reporters. The next hearing is on March 21.

Chaudhary, who refused to resign, has been confined to his home since his March 9 suspension. He has been allowed out only to attend sessions of the panel hearing his case, although authorities deny he is under house arrest.

The government has released no details of the accusations against Chaudhary but a state news agency cited "misconduct and misuse of authority". There has been no indication how long his hearing will last.

The affair has fuelled suspicion that Musharraf feared the independent-minded judge would oppose any move by him to retain his role as army chief, which constitutionally the president should relinquish this year.

A U.S. official said on Thursday the United States was watching. The United States sees Musharraf as a vital ally in the war on terrorism while it also encourages democracy.  Continued...