111.   More serious to her grip on power came when Bhutto picked a row with the Supreme Court over a verdict curtailing her authority to appoint judges.

112.   Officially, the head of state appoints senior judges, military officers and can grant amnesty to prisoners.

113.   The decision had been expected as magistrates had failed to appoint alternate judges in time.

114.   The court had already adjourned the case for two weeks last month as magistrates had failed to appoint alternate judges in time.

115.   The judges are appointed by the president on the advice of the government.