Protesters savor victory in Pakistan
source: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pakistan-protesters16-2009mar16,0,352641...
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The government reinstates the chief justice as thousands defy a ban on a 200-mile march to the capital.
Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan -- Averting what could have been a bloody showdown at the gates of the capital, Pakistan's government today capitulated to protesters' demands to reinstate the popular chief justice, reshaping the political landscape in a country crucial to the West's battle with Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Though it appeared to have staved off a confrontation, the decision announced in a nationally televised speech by Prime Minister Yusaf Raza Gillani left the door open to more upheaval in coming weeks and months.
It weakens the hand of pro-Western President Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and catapults the combative opposition leader Nawaz Sharif to a position of far greater strength.
Word of the agreement to reinstate the deposed Supreme Court chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, triggered wild rejoicing not only by opposition activists but also by many supporters of Zardari's Pakistan People's Party. The president was widely believed to have balked at the chief justice's return for fear that corruption cases against him would be revived.
"This is what we wanted all along. It is only Zardari who was the obstacle," said Kashif Kazmi, a Pakistan People's Party supporter who joined the impromptu celebrations. "I think he should resign."
In the predawn darkness, jubilant flag-waving crowds descended on Chaudhry's modest villa to sing, cheer and dance in the frontyard. Veteran barristers, many in their trademark black suits despite the early hour, embraced and congratulated one another.
"I haven't seen anything like this in my life," said 19-year-old student Raza Rezvi. Someone strummed an electric guitar; others wrapped themselves in party and national flags, and almost everyone looked somewhat sleepy and rumpled -- but thrilled. Chaudhry remained inside, greeting well-wishers.
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Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan -- Averting what could have been a bloody showdown at the gates of the capital, Pakistan's government today capitulated to protesters' demands to reinstate the popular chief justice, reshaping the political landscape in a country crucial to the West's battle with Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Though it appeared to have staved off a confrontation, the decision announced in a nationally televised speech by Prime Minister Yusaf Raza Gillani left the door open to more upheaval in coming weeks and months.
It weakens the hand of pro-Western President Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and catapults the combative opposition leader Nawaz Sharif to a position of far greater strength.
Word of the agreement to reinstate the deposed Supreme Court chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, triggered wild rejoicing not only by opposition activists but also by many supporters of Zardari's Pakistan People's Party. The president was widely believed to have balked at the chief justice's return for fear that corruption cases against him would be revived.
"This is what we wanted all along. It is only Zardari who was the obstacle," said Kashif Kazmi, a Pakistan People's Party supporter who joined the impromptu celebrations. "I think he should resign."
In the predawn darkness, jubilant flag-waving crowds descended on Chaudhry's modest villa to sing, cheer and dance in the frontyard. Veteran barristers, many in their trademark black suits despite the early hour, embraced and congratulated one another.
"I haven't seen anything like this in my life," said 19-year-old student Raza Rezvi. Someone strummed an electric guitar; others wrapped themselves in party and national flags, and almost everyone looked somewhat sleepy and rumpled -- but thrilled. Chaudhry remained inside, greeting well-wishers.
Read rest at link
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