Suspended Top Judge Attacks Musharraf

Pakistan's ousted chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, center on a vehicle, waves to response his supporters as he arrives at High Court in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, May 6, 2007. Thousands of people greeted Pakistan's top judge, whose suspension by the country's military leader has sparked a political crisis. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary) (K.mm. Chaudary - AP)

LAHORE, Pakistan -- Pakistan's top judge launched a thinly veiled attack on President Gen. Pervez Musharraf before thousands of supporters Sunday in his strongest criticism since being suspended by Musharraf two months ago.

The suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry sparked a political crisis for the president, with critics accusing him of trying to tame the judiciary during an election year to avoid legal challenges to his continued military rule.

"The dictatorial system of government and the concept of concentration of power is now ended," Chaudhry told 10,000 lawyers and nearly as many opposition activists in the eastern city of Lahore. "All these are bitter lessons of history."

As the lawyers, some carrying black flags, chanted "Musharraf Go!" and raised clenched fists in the air, Chaudhry told the rally in the parking lot of the Lahore High Court that, "Nations that do not learn from history and repeat its mistakes, they have to face the consequences."

Chaudhry left the capital, Islamabad, in a motorcade on Saturday morning for Lahore but his journey was repeatedly delayed by rallies along the way. Thousands of lawyers had waited through the night at the High Court to welcome the chief justice, he said.

"Neither a political nor any judicial scene has ever witnessed such an event in Pakistan's history," said Ahsan Bhoon, president of the High Court Bar Association in Lahore. "It's the people's verdict for the supremacy of law and the Constitution."

Chaudhry, who became chief justice in 2005, has a reputation for challenging government misdeeds and human rights abuses in the country. The government has accused him of misuse of his office. The top judicial complaints council is hearing Chaudhry's case and Musharraf has said he will abide by its ruling _ which is not expected for months.

Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup, is expected to ask lawmakers to grant him another term as president this fall, but has not said whether he will give up his army post. The Constitution forbids him from holding both posts after he completes another term as president and army chief this year.

Musharraf telling lawyers and politicians at a rally in the desert town of Nokot in southern Sindh province on Saturday that the issue of Chaudhry's removal should not be politicized.