Pakistan court rules judge's reinstatement

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, July 19 (UPI) -- Pakistan's Supreme Court has ruled Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry illegal and ordered his reinstatement.

The court on Friday set aside the judge's March 9 suspension as "being illegal," The Washington Post reported, adding the decision is a major victory for opponents of Musharraf.

Musharraf, who is also the country's military chief, took power in 1999 and since then has become a key U.S. ally in the war on terrorism. However, he has seen his influence erode because of rising violence in the country, especially in the northwest where Taliban and al-Qaida have regrouped and continuing demonstrations protesting Chaudhry's suspension.

Prior to the ruling, Britain's Guardian had reported a favorable ruling could worsen tensions in the country.

The Guardian also said Chaudhry's reinstatement would be a setback for Musharraf's effort to win re-election this year.