It would be as hard to overstate the magnitude of the popular victory in Pakistan as it would be to know where it will lead. For the moment at least those who have led the long struggle to keep the executive branch of the Pakistan government — until recently in the hands of a US supported dictator — from riding rough shod over the judicial branch are ecstatic.

They came with flags, candies, and chants of “Rule of law!” Thousands of jubilant Pakistanis made a pilgrimage to the residence of former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry early Monday, saying that Pakistan had proved itself worthy of the name of democracy.

A popular movement had forced the government to promise to reinstate Mr. Chaudhry – acceding to a key curb on its power. In the past such action has only happened through military coups.

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On the day of celebration, however, a car bomb went off in Rawalpindi — whether related to the reinstatement of Chief Justice Chaudhry or not is unknown.

Meanwhile, the US continues to bomb from pilotless drones, triggered by shooters in Oklahoma, heedless it seems to the consequences of these sworn to be important hits.