Supporters mass on Pakistan judge's route to Lahore

By Simon Cameron-Moore

GUJRANWALA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of supporters thronged roadsides to greet Pakistan's suspended top judge on Saturday as he drove to Lahore to gather backing for his fight against the president's attempt to sack him.

A caravan of cars several kilometres (miles) long followed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's vehicle as it passed through towns and cities of central Punjab province on its way to the provincial capital, Lahore.

Lahore is Pakistan's politically most influential city and Chaudhry's reception there is seen as a test of his backing.

President Pervez Musharraf suspended Chaudhry on March 9, an act seen by the legal community and opposition groups as an attack on the independence of the judiciary.

Chaudhry's refusal to resign in the face of charges of misconduct, and widespread sympathy for his stand, have created the most serious challenge to Musharraf's authority since he came to power in a military coup seven-and-a-half years ago.

Jubilant supporters clutching their children struggled through a boisterous crowd in the city of Gujranwala to see Chaudhry as his car passed by.

In Gujrat city, a white horse pranced in front of his car and fireworks exploded as his convoy edged through the crowds.

Speaking briefly to lawyers, Chaudhry called for unity.