Speaking to thousands of ruling party activists in Islamabad, Musharraf said he was outraged by clashes in the southern port city of Karachi that left 30 people dead during a visit by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
"Do not challenge us. We are not cowards like you, we have the power of the people," said Musharraf, who was standing behind a bullet-proof screen and wearing traditional Pakistani dress.
Police said tens of thousands attended the Musharraf rally but did not give an exact figure. Government officials had earlier said they expected up to 400,000 people. "My heart was bleeding when I saw on television what was happening in Karachi. I strongly condemn this violence," Musharraf said.
"The government from the beginning had asked the chief justice not to go there (Karachi) but some elements with him wanted to gain political mileage and forced him to go," he said.
"Despite warnings they went over and this is the reason we suffered losses (of life)" Musharraf said. "I appealed to the lawyers not to let a judicial issue be politicised, do not give it a political colour." General Musharraf dismissed Chaudhry on March 9 on charges that the judge abused his position to obtain promotions for his son, sparking a wave of protests that have increasingly focused on his eight-year military rule.
The chief justice was due to address supporters in Karachi but called off his rally and flew back to Islamabad after pro-Musharraf supporters effectively shut down the city. Gunfights erupted between government activists and workers from opposition supporters.