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Pakistani president warns lawyers to stay out of politics

Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, in the black coat, inspects the guard of honor during the Pakistan Day ceremony in Islamabad on Friday. PHOTO: EPA

President General Pervez Musharraf warned lawyers protesting his removal of Pakistan's top judge to stay out of politics, as critics and opponents seized on the growing judicial crisis to press for an end to his eight-year rule.

In a speech marking Pakistan Day, the general also urged people to help defeat foreign militants, scores of whom have been killed fighting local tribesmen near the Afghan border in the past week.

Lawyers have observed a nationwide strike and held rallies across the country since March 9, when Musharraf suspended Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, Pakistan's chief justice, over allegations that he had abused his authority.

Hardline Islamist leaders opposed to Musharraf's close alliance with the US quickly joined in the protests, some of which have turned into clashes with police.

Pakistan's main, secular opposition parties are calling for countrywide demonstrations tomorrow, a step that could escalate tensions.

Musharraf, speaking on the anniversary of a 1940 resolution by Islamic leaders in British India that eventually led to the formation of Pakistan, asked the lawyers to let the legal proceedings against Chaudhry run their course.

"Don't make it a political issue. It is a legal issue, and it will be resolved only though legal and constitutional means," he told thousands of people in a sports stadium in the capital, Islamabad.

Opponents say Musharraf, who serves as both army chief and president, is trying to oust a strong-willed judge ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections due later this year. Musharraf is expected to seek re-election for another five-year term from the outgoing legislature -- a move likely to prompt appeals to the Supreme Court against his rule.

The escalating row could erode popular support for Musharraf in a country where many already resent his close alliance with the US in its war on terrorism. He took power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and his political party won a general election in 2002.

Musharraf said ordinary Pakistanis should help him to curb militancy.

The government has seized on continuing fighting near the Afghan frontier as a sign that Musharraf's appeal is being heard.

The fierce battles which broke out on Monday have left up to 160 people dead, including about 130 Uzbek and Chechen fighters and between 25 and 30 Pakistani tribesmen.
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