Chaudhry to face new complaint
If at first you don't succeed ... | ISLAMABAD - Pakistans government has prepared a new misconduct complaint against the suspended chief judge, the law minister said on Sunday, raising the stakes in a three-month-old dispute that has sparked street protests.
President Pervez Musharrafs move to dismiss Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry on accusations of misconduct on March 9 prompted a series of sometimes violent demonstrations by lawyers and opposition political activists. The protests represent the most serious challenge to Musharrafs authority since he seized power in a 1999 coup, and threatens stability in a nuclear-armed country on the front line of a global anti-terrorism campaign.
Law Minister Wasi Zafar said the government had prepared a new complaint, known as a reference, against Chaudhry for activities deemed a violation of a top judges code of conduct. It has been drafted ... and will have to be filed at an appropriate time, Zafar told Reuters, without giving details.
A senior lawyer said the complaint indicated the government was determined to remove the independent-minded Chaudhry, who has denied wrongdoing and refused to resign. They are absolutely determined and adamant to get rid of the chief justice, said Akram Sheiqh, a lawyer who supports Chaudhrys cause.
Posted by: Steve White 2007-06-11 |