Kashmir judge quits in protest

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 28 (UPI) -- A civil judge in Pakistan-administered Kashmir has quit in protest of the recent firing of Pakistan Chief Justice by President Pervez Musharraf.

The action by Raja Faisal Majeed Khan in Pakistan-administered Kashmir in support of dismissed Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry marked the first resignation over the issue in a territory which has a separate judicial system, Pakistan's English newspaper Dawn reported Wednesday.

Khan said he sent his resignation to the high court "for the freedom, independence and dignity of judiciary."

There have been widespread protests in Pakistan over the firing of Chaudhry, resulting in several arrests. The jurist, accused of misuse of authority, was dismissed March 9.