The 59-year-old, in his signature black suit, has been showered with rose petals by tens of thousands of cheering supporters on a series of roadshows since military ruler Musharraf suspended him for alleged misconduct in March.

Yet he has also become a catalyst for violence amid high tensions in this Islamic republic, including a suicide blast at a pro-Chaudhry rally in Islamabad on Tuesday and clashes in Karachi in May that left 40 dead.

On Friday, Pakistan's Supreme Court reinstated Chaudhry and overturned the charges against him, sparking jubilant celebrations outside the courthouse.

"This man has shown a lot of courage," political commentator Shafqat Mahmood said. "If he had any personal mistakes in the past they have been superseded by his exemplary fightback against Musharraf."

Chaudhry's journey began on March 9 this year, when television footage showed him being summoned to meet Musharraf, in army uniform, at his residence to answer the charges against him.

It was an unprecedented moment in the country's 60-year history and sparked outrage amongst lawyers who said the image said 1,000 words about the role of the powerful military in the country.

The charge-sheet against Chaudhry included claims that he abused his position to land a top police job for his son and get cars he was not entitled to. He was also accused of ordering intelligence agents to spy on other judges.