[JURIST] Thousands of Pakistanis cheered in support of suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry [profile] as he arrived in Faisalabad Sunday, completing a two-day procession from Islamabad. Speaking to the crowd, Chaudhry once again called for a more independent judiciary. He said: "The organs of the state cannot function properly unless there is separation of powers as enshrined in the constitution." About 60,000 supporters greeted Chaudhry on his 22-hour journey.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf [official website] suspended [JURIST report] Chaudhry on March 9 "after receiving numerous complaints and serious allegations for misconduct, misuse of authority and actions prejudicial to the dignity of office of the Chief Justice of Pakistan." Many Pakistani lawyers and opposition leaders believe Chaudhry's suspension was an indirect bid by Musharraf to continue his eight-year rule in an election year. AFP has more.