Threat made in Pakistani judicial conflict

LAHORE, Pakistan, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The head of the Pakistani Supreme Court Bar Association said Saturday a "long march" will occur if several deposed judges are not reinstated soon.

Association President Aitzaz Ahsan said if those judges who lost their positions last year when Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule were not reinstated, his group would protest March 9, the Press Trust of India reported.

The potential date for the protest would occur exactly one year after Musharraf dismissed Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.

Ahsan is under house arrest, but was allowed to leave his home to take part in the recent Lahore High Court Bar Association elections.

Yet on Friday, the head of the Bar Association's home was surrounded by police forces that blocked off all roads leading to his residence.

The Press Trust said the police action came after Ahsan took part in a news conference with politician Imran Khan, leading to Ahsan's home being designated a "sub-jail."