Police detain more than 500 ahead of rally

? Police detained hundreds of opposition activists ahead of a rally today that organizers predict will be the biggest yet in support of Pakistan’s ousted chief justice.

President Gen. Pervez Musharraf touched off a political storm by suspending Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry on March 9 for allegedly abusing his office.

Government officials say Musharraf moved against Chaud-hry after receiving evidence that he misused his office, for instance by seeking a top job for his son.

However, critics say Musharraf is trying to get rid of an independent-minded judge ahead of possible legal challenges to his continued rule.

Lawyers and opposition parties have staged a series of anti-Musharraf demonstrations across the country, and hope to draw huge crowds to a rally today in the eastern city of Lahore, where Chaudhry is to speak.