Pakistan's government says a sacked Supreme Court chief justice will be reinstated.
The announcement came as anti-government protestors, including the Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, planned a march in the capital Islamabad.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said Iftikhar Chaudhry would resume his old post following the resignation of the current Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar on 21 March.
Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif had joined campaigning lawyers in demanding the judge's reinstatement. Announcing that the march on Islamabad had been called off, Mr Sharif urged supporters to celebrate "with dignity".
Mr Chaudhry and 60 other judges were dismissed by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2007. Most have since been reinstated, but Mr Chaudhry and a handful have not been allowed to return to their old posts.
Mr Gilani's announcement, broadcast on television, triggered scenes of jubilation from Mr Chaudhry's supporters outside his home in Islamabad and among supporters of Mr Sharif.
Mr Gilani also said opposition activists and leaders detained over the last week of mounting disturbances would be freed and a ban on demonstrations in the capital and several provinces lifted.
