76 Pakistan Judges Suspended After Top Court Voids '07 Musharraf Actions
After a Friday ruling by Pakistan’s supreme court that former President Pervez Musharraf acted illegally by imposing emergency rule in November 2007, the country’s current president has suspended 76 judges appointed under that regime from duty on the bench, reports the BBC.
The action by President Asif Ali Zardari apparently implements a second supreme court decision that held judges were illegally appointed under Musharraf to replace dozens of jurists removed from office after they refused to take an oath of loyalty to the emergency rule, according to British news agency and the New York Times. The removed judges were eventually restored to the bench after many months of lawyer-led public protest that resulted in Musharraf’s departure from office.
The country’s Supreme Judicial Council is expected to hold a hearing next week on the future of the 76 jurists suspended today.
Earlier related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Pakistan to Reinstate Judges, Including Chief Justice”
ABAJournal.com: “Restrictions Eased on High-Profile Pakistan Lawyer; Protest Planned re Judges”
