"The reference of the president dated March 9, 2007 is set aside," presiding judge Khalil-ur-Rehman Ramday told the court, announcing a 10-3 verdict. "As a further consequence the petitioner, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, shall be deemed to be holding the said office and shall always be deemed to have been so holding the same," he said. Chaudhry has been showered with flower petals at mass rallies against Musharraf, who -- in addition to facing the judicial crisis -- is struggling to curb a wave of militant attacks sparked by raid on the Red Mosque. Security was intense around the court building and government installations in central Islamabad after a suicide blast killed 17 people at a pro-Chaudhry rally in the capital on Tuesday. In a statement issued shortly after the verdict, prime minister said the constitution and the law "have prevailed and must prevail at all times." "I have just learnt of the Supreme Court decision. I have always maintained that the decision by the honorable court must be accepted by all sections of the people including the government itself," Aziz said. "This is not the time to claim victory or defeat." AFP