Pakistan's ousted chief justice has entered the eastern city of Lahore where thousands of supporters lined the streets to welcome him.

Iftikhar Chaudhry had travelled at the head of a procession of supporters from the capital, Islamabad.

Chaudhry will address a rally where he is likely to challenge the authority of President Pervez Musharraf.

He was suspended as chief justice by General Musharraf in March over allegations of abuse of office.

Protests have been building ever since, and now pose the most serious challenge to Gen Musharraf's authority since he seized power in a coup seven years ago.

Chaudhry says he is fighting for the independence of the judiciary but protests in his favour have turned into a broader campaign against military rule, says the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad .

All-night journey

The chief justice finally reached the Lahore High Court at 0830 local time (0430 GMT). Thousands of lawyers and political activists had waited all night for his arrival.

Seventeen high court judges and 18 retired senior judges were present.

Lahore is the headquarters of Pakistan's legal community so such a turnout is an important boost to Justice Chaudhry's campaign, our correspondent says.

Coming from Islamabad, Justice Chaudhry's motorcade was slowed down by supporters who threw rose petals, beat drums and set off fire crackers.

Chants of "Go, Musharraf, go!" were heard as he crossed the bridge over the River Ravi to approach the city. It took him 24 hours to travel a distance that usually takes four hours.

It was a massive show of support even though police arrested political workers, blocked roads and in some cases fired tear gas.

About 7,000 security personnel have been deployed for the rally.

A number of rallies have been held since Mr Chaudhry was suspended on 9 March but Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, is the most significant of the cities he has visited, our correspondent says.

Not only is it the headquarters of Pakistan's legal community, it is also the base of President Musharraf's political party, the Pakistan Muslim League, she says.

Musharraf this week warned lawyers not to politicise the issue.

"This is a constitutional and judicial issue and those giving it a political tone will not be successful in their designs," he said.

It has been alleged that Chaudhry illegally used his position in an attempt to procure a top police job for his son.

Chaudhry, who became chief justice in 2005, has earned a reputation for challenging human rights abuses and government wrongdoing.

PHOTO CAPTION

Suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry listen to speeches during a function by the Bar Council at Lahore High Court in Lahore May 6, 2007. (Reuters)

BBC