ISLAMABAD, 18 March 2007 — Pakistan’s embattled President Pervez Musharraf yesterday defended his decision to remove the chief justice and insisted that he had no personal differences with the former top judge.

Musharraf has faced a growing crisis since March 9, when he suspended Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry over unspecified allegations that the judge had abused his authority.

The move angered many lawyers, retired judges and opposition leaders, who consider Musharraf’s action an effort to remove a strong-willed judge ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections.

The move angered many lawyers, retired judges and opposition leaders, who consider Musharraf’s action an effort to remove a strong-willed judge ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections.

On Friday, police used tear gas, rubber bullets and batons to stop Chaudhry supporters from reaching the Supreme Court, where he was to appear before a panel of five judges hearing his case.

As Pakistan’s Geo TV broadcast the clashes Friday, police entered its offices, kicking down doors and wrecking property.

One of the channel’s popular news shows had already been pulled off the air Thursday, apparently for its coverage of the legal crisis.

Musharraf, in an unusual step, apologized personally for the incident. Yesterday, Musharraf termed the attack on Geo TV a conspiracy aimed at lowering his image.

Addressing a rally in the eastern city of Pakpatan, Musharraf said he had “no personal differences” with Chaudhry, and had acted against the judge after receiving a case against him from the prime minister. “I am blamed for everything,” state-run Pakistan Television quoted him as saying.

Musharraf also said some people were conspiring against him. He did not elaborate.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited the Geo office in the capital yesterday, promising compensation for damages and to punish those involved.

Aziz has also ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident, which has been widely condemned at home and internationally.

Musharraf’s comments came after authorities eased restrictions on Chaudhry and sacked 15 police for attacking Geo TV television.

Police yesterday removed barricades from around the home of the top judge. Police did not prevent people from visiting Chaudhry yesterday, an official said. He said Chaudhry was also free to leave his home.

Meanwhile, police fired tear gas and swung batons at lawyers in Lahore yesterday, sparking clashes in which several newsmen and lawyers were injured.

The violence erupted when police tried to halt a rally by lawyers supporting Chaudhry. With parliamentary elections due within a year, the move to replace Chaudhry is particularly sensitive.

Musharraf will seek re-election from the outgoing assembly, and has given no indication that he is willing to accept opposition demands that he give up his post as chief of the army. His stance is likely to draw complaints to the Supreme Court.

The case against Chaudhry, who is vowing to fight to keep his job, has been adjourned until March 21.