Ousted Pakistani Judge Describes Confrontation

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 30 -- Nearly three months into a judicial crisis that has badly shaken President Pervez Musharraf, the nation's chief justice has provided the first detailed account of a meeting in which the president and other top military and intelligence officials pressured him to step down, local news media reported Wednesday.

The account, in an affidavit filed by Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry's attorneys, says the judge was called to Musharraf's military residence in Rawalpindi on March 9 and subjected to intense pressure over five hours to step down or face public embarrassment.

Chaudhry refused to resign, the government suspended him and Pakistan has been in turmoil since. Fellow judges and lawyers have rallied to Chaudhry's side -- as have opposition politicians -- to argue that Musharraf, a general and head of the army, is attempting to crush nascent democratic institutions. As many around the country are campaigning to end military rule, Musharraf and his allies have accused opponents of politicizing Chaudhry's suspension.

The controversy has erupted into violent street protests. Opponents have accused security forces and pro-Musharraf groups of instigating attacks that left more than 40 people dead in Karachi this month.

The government has said Chaudhry was suspended because of abuses of office, including nepotism and misuse of government property. But his attorneys suggested in court Tuesday that Musharraf had acted out of malice, and they elaborated in a detailed affidavit, the contents of which were excerpted in various Pakistani newspapers Wednesday.

Musharraf was wearing his military uniform when he confronted Chaudhry with the allegations against him, as were others at the March 9 meeting. In addition to Musharraf, the prime minister and the heads of three branches of the intelligence service were present.

Musharraf read the allegations against Chaudhry, then told him that if he resigned he would be accommodated but that if he refused he would face public ridicule. When Chaudhry denied the charges and declined to step down, Musharraf angrily left the room, Chaudhry's account says.

Afterward, the other officials continued to apply pressure but did not supply evidence. For the rest of the afternoon, Chaudhry was not permitted to leave. When he was released, the head of military intelligence told him: "This is a bad day. Now you are taking a separate way," according to the excerpts.

Chaudhry contends that he and his family were then held under virtual house arrest for several days.

Chaudhry, a Musharraf appointee, had exhibited an independent streak in the months before his suspension. He had been expected to rule this year on several key cases that affect the plan for coming elections.