AFP

Islamabad, Jul 20: Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday reinstated Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and quashed misconduct charges filed against him by President Pervez Musharraf, court officials said.   

The announcement sparked massive celebrations by lawyers who had spent the day waiting outside the court for the verdict.
   
Chaudhry was suspended in March, following allegations that he abused his position, notably to obtain a top police job for his son and other privileges for himself.   

"The reference of the president dated March 9, 2007 is set aside," presiding judge Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday told the court, announcing the panel of judges had reached a 10-3 decision in Chaudhry's favour after a 43-day hearing.   

"As a further consequence, the petitioner, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, shall be deemed to be holding the said office and shall always be deemed to have been so holding the same," he said.