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ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistan's chief justice was to address lawyers and diplomats here Saturday as a violent political crisis triggered by his suspension threatens President Pervez Musharraf's grip on power.

Hundreds of armed police surrounded the Supreme Court where the country's top judge Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was set to make his speech.

His last planned address in Karachi two weeks ago was cancelled after his arrival at the local airport triggered savage violence involving opposing political factions and ethnic groups that left 42 dead.

Pro-Chaudhry rallies in Islamabad have previously resulted in angry scuffles between paramilitary troops and protesters outside the Supreme Court, where Chaudhry is fighting an ongoing legal battle to retain his post.

The Supreme Court Bar Association on Saturday said it had installed two large screens for the public to watch Chaudhry's speech.

Munir A Malik, president of the bar association, told AFP that some lawyers have reportedly been prevented from attending the event.

"We have reports that police stopped groups of lawyers from travelling to Islamabad from northwest Pakistan," he said. "Despite the hurdles we expect a very large number of lawyers to be present.

"We know we are doing it at the risk of our lives, facing threats and intimidation from the rulers. This speech by Chief Justice Chaudhry will be historic."

Musharraf says Chaudhry was suspended for misconduct, but the president's opponents say he wants to weaken the courts ahead of any legal challenges to his bid to remain army chief past the constitutional time limit of the end of 2007.

Musharraf's dismissal of Chaudhry on March 9 has become a focal point for disparate opponents of the military regime of Musharraf, who seized power in 1999.

Chaudhry has received rousing welcomes from lawyers and opposition supporters in Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Peshawar and Lahore.

Musharraf countered with a rally in Islamabad, where he warned: "Do not challenge us. We are not cowards like you. We have the power of the people."

The Supreme Court Bar Association said entry to Saturday's event would be restricted to lawyers, diplomats and some media representatives.

Chaudhry will talk on "the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary" a theme at the heart of Pakistan's current troubles.

Three to four thousand workers from opposition parties are expected to assemble to hear the judge speak, security sources said.

"We have deployed hundreds of policemen to maintain order," Islamabad's police chief told AFP.

Lawyers across the country boycotted courts on Saturday in solidarity with Chaudhry, bringing the legal system to a standstill.