Chaudhry assumes office, lawyers welcome landmark verdict
Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry today assumed charge of his office, a day after his reinstatement through a landmark judgment of 13-member bench of the apex court.
Islamabad, July 21 : Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry today assumed charge of his office, a day after his reinstatement through a landmark judgment of 13-member bench of the apex court.
A large number of lawyers reached to the official residence of the chief justice here and congratulated him.
After his reinstatement, the national flag and the flag of the Supreme Court of Pakistan were hoisted at the residence of the chief justice here.
The chief justice in his brief comment on the verdict said: "I am thankful to Almighty Allah."
He signed a notification to assume his office, which says: "Consequent upon the decision of the 13-member bench, I have assumed the charge of my office."
After the verdict on Friday, the people were overwhelmed with jubilation. Lawyers and other people embraced each other and distributed sweets. The workers of political parties were also took to streets. The lawyers in Lahore and other cities of Punjab were overwhelmed with jubilation.
The Peshsawar High Court Bar Association organized a torch-bearing procession. In Sindh lawyers and other people welcome enthusiastically the landmark judgment, offered thanksgiving prayers and distributed sweets.
On Saturday, the apex court's senior judge, Mr. Justice Rana Bhagwan Das called on Chaudhry at his residence and offered his felicitations. Both also exchanged views on different matters.
Justice Rana Bhagwan Das was officiating as the Acting Chief Justice following the filing of the March 9 presidential reference against Chaudhry.
ANI
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry 
The 13 member larger bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan reinstated Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry as Chief Justice of Pakistan on Friday through a short order. The verdict was reached 10 to 3 in favor of Justice Chaudhry. 

Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry through a panel of senior lawyers headed by Barrister Aitezaz Ahsan filed a constitutional petition challenging his suspension as Chief Justice of Pakistan by President General Pervez Musharraf on March 9 this year. Musharraf has indicated that he will accept the court's decision.

The Pakistani lawyer community hailed the decision of the court. The Peshsawar High Court Bar Association organized even organized a procession as a mark of celebrations.

Chaudhry, an opponent of Musharraf, had been accused of abuse of power but the charges were quashed by the court's decision, seen as a blow to Musharraf's government.