Judges Defy Order to Honor New Charter

Six of the Supreme Court’s 13 judges--including the chief justice--refused an order by Gen. Pervez Musharraf to take a new oath under a provisional constitution that would protect Pakistan’s military from legal action. Of 102 judges, 89 were sworn in again, the government said. The refusal was seen as the sharpest challenge to the army since its bloodless coup ended civilian rule Oct. 12 and put Musharraf in charge. The judges’ defiance came as the trial of ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif began in Karachi, where he faces charges of hijacking, terrorism, kidnapping and attempted murder.