Musharraf said Chaudhry was sacked over allegations of impropriety and misconduct.

Lawyers in Pakistan have announced they will be holding a daily one-hour strike from Thursday until the country's chief justice is re-instated.

Hundreds of lawyers have taken to the streets in protest since Chaudhry was sacked.

Mistreatment

Government officials acknowledge that police prevented Chaudhry from walking to the Supreme Court for a hearing on his case on Tuesday.

A photograph published in Pakistan's Nation newspaper showed burly policemen bundling Chaudhry's towards the open door of a government car, with one officer leaning on his head.

Javed Iqbal, the acting chief justice, has summoned several police officers to appear before him on March 19 to explain their alleged mistreatment of Chaudhry.

The government has not made public any details of the complaints against Chaudhry and insists its decision to have a five-judge panel chaired by Iqbal examine the allegations is nonpolitical.

However, Chaudhry has pursued several cases embarrassing to the government and opposition parties claim authorities are seeking a more compliant judiciary ahead of parliamentary elections, due within a year.

Musharraf is also expected to seek re-election as president-in-uniform from the outgoing assembly.