ISLAMABAD, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Sunday the reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, handled "purely in accordance with the Constitution and law," should not be politicized, the state-run APP news agency reported.

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Aziz said the reference should not be used for political benefits and for creating trouble to the masses, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

    Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf suspended on March 9 the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry for alleged "misconduct and misuse of authority" and sent a reference to the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) to investigate allegations of misconduct against him.

    Aziz Sunday said now the reference is with the Supreme Judicial Council, adding that after its deliberations, the Council will give its final verdict on the reference.

    The Prime Minister said the reference case is purely a "constitutional and legal matter" and it "should not be made a political issue," according to APP.

    About the visit of Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to Lahoreon Saturday and Sunday in which he reportedly was greeted by thousands of supporters, Aziz said it was not the referendum.

    The prime minister said the government ensured smooth traveling of Justice Iftikhar from Islamabad to Lahore and provided security to avoid any untoward incident.

    He said there is no pressure on the government regarding the reference case and it was being considered by SJC which will decide it without any pressure or influence, APP reported.