Musharraf withdraws charge against ousted judge

PAKISTAN: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf dropped one of the charges he has levelled against the country’s ousted top judge, who has become an icon of opposition to his military rule.

The move came days before the Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to allow or overturn the March 9 suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who drew thousands of supporters Sunday in one of a string of pro-democracy rallies.

The judicial misconduct charge withdrawn Monday centred on claims that the judge’s verbal orders in some court cases varied from subsequent written orders.

The charge said that large amounts of money were involved in the cases.

“The president and the prime minister have instructed that the paragraphs dealing with the subject be deleted,” chief government lawyer Sharifuddin Pirzada told the Supreme Court.

Chaudhry’s lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, said the move “shows the retreat of the government.”

However Musharraf’s allegations that Chaudhry abused his position to secure top jobs for his son, privately used official vehicles and spied on other judges still stand. Chaudhry has denied the charges and challenged his suspension.

Islamabad, Tuesday, AFP.