Pakistani Lawyers Protest Suspension of Chief Justice

Thousands of Pakistani lawyers protested again Thursday against President Pervez Musharraf's suspension of the country's chief justice.

Lawyers, opposition workers and rights activists marched through Lahore chanting slogans against General Musharraf. Smaller protests were reported in several other cities.

The president suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry on March 9 for allegedly abusing his office.

Chaudhry's removal has triggered many protests and sparked outrage among Pakistan's judiciary and opposition parties.

On May 12, 40 people were killed in street clashes between pro-government activists and opposition workers in the southern city of Karachi.

Critics of President Musharraf say he suspended the chief justice as part of efforts to ensure re-election by the current parliament. Mr. Musharraf says he acted in accordance with judicial rules and his opponents have politicized the case.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.