Pakistan panel on judge case suspended

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 7 (UPI) -- Pakistan's Supreme Court Monday suspended a panel set up to hear charges against Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

The court instead ordered a full bench to hear the case against Judge Chaudhry, who was suspended in March by the government of President Pervez Musharraf on charges of misconduct and misuse of authority, the Financial Times reported.

The judge's suspension has continued to draw widespread protests in the country, adding to the political pressure on Musharraf, who is also the country's military chief. The high court ruling was based on Chaudhry's petition challenging the competency of the panel and seeking a full bench of the court, the Times reported.

"This case is not just a judicial issue any longer. It has become a political issue. The government seems to be increasingly on the defensive," said Pakistan Daily Times editor Najam Sethi.

A rally in Lahore Sunday drew thousands who shouted "Go Musharraf, go" and "We want democracy."

Western diplomats told the Times the court ruling marked an important moral victory for Chaudhry.