Pakistan's deposed top judge Chaudhry eyes old job

By Aftab Borka

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's deposed chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry returned to the Supreme Court on Monday for the first time since his ouster nearly a year ago, vowing he would soon be restored to office.

Former President Pervez Musharraf's attempt to dismiss the independent-minded top judge in March 2007 whipped up opposition to Musharraf, which dogged him until his resignation in August under threat of impeachment.

But Musharraf's resignation did not end controversy over the judge, and the failure of the government led by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's party to reinstate Chaudhry led to a split in the coalition in August.

About 200 lawyers welcomed Chaudhry at the Supreme Court bar association office, showering him with flowers and chanting slogans on his return for the first time since he was dismissed on Nov. 3 last year, when Musharraf imposed emergency rule.

"The movement is in its final round and, God willing, it will be successful," Chaudhry told the lawyers campaigning for his reinstatement.

The lawyers' protest movement represents a challenge to a government struggling with an economic crisis and surging militant violence.

Analysts say Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, who was elected president last month, does not want Chaudhry restored.

Zardari fears Chaudhry might reopen legal challenges to an amnesty from graft charges Musharraf granted Bhutto, Zardari and other senior officials in their party last year as part of a proposed power-sharing deal, analysts say.