Former CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry launches political party

Chaudhry says Pakistan Justice Democratic Critic Party will welcome only non-corrupt people

ISLAMABAD: Former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Friday launched his own political party namely “Pakistan Justice Democratic Critic Party (PJDCP)”.

“PJDCP would welcome only non-corrupt people and the party’s aim is to solve people’s problems,” the CJP said, while addressing the launch ceremony of his party.

Chaudhry said his party would work on a 25-point agenda, including in the sectors of health, education and land reforms.



The ceremony was attended by lawyers, civil society activists and others. "Over 1,000 people belonging to different segments of the society were invited to attend the ceremony which was held in a hotel in Islamabad," the party's media coordinator Sheikh Ahsanuddin told The Express Tribune.

However, many senior lawyers, who were close to Chaudhry in the past, expressed their apprehension regarding his success in politics. Former president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Kamran Murtaza said the chances of Chaudhry’s success in politics are slim as he did not earn a good name for himself during his tenure as chief justice of Pakistan.



Further, senior lawyer Hamid Khan said he advised Chaudhry against entering politics. Khan also ruled out any possibility of joining the party claiming he is a core member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Chaudhry was appointed as the 18th chief justice of Pakistan by then president General Pervez Musharraf in June 2005. However, in 2007, Musharraf asked him to resign but Chaudhry refused and the conflict between the two led to the latter’s suspension in November 2007. Chaudhry was reinstated on March 2009 and retired in December 2013.

Many took to social media to express their views on the former CJP launching his own party.

After Zia, there is this one eyed Iftikhar Chaudhry having set his eye on Khalifa tul Muslimeen title. Dream on sweety, dream on.

— Murtaza (@murtazazaidi_) December 27, 2015

Iftikhar Chaudhry enters the democratic political process. An area where he created havoc during his term as Chief Justice.

— Hassan A. Niazi (@Hassan_A_Niazi) December 27, 2015

Ex-CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry has, inevitably,launched a political party, and it's called, no joke, the "Pakistan Justice Democratic Critic Party"

— Asad Hashim (@AsadHashim) December 27, 2015

Supporting Presidential system, Iftikhar Chaudhry did not know that even Obama fails to get some legislation through. Absolute moron.

— Nusrat Javeed (@javeednusrat) December 26, 2015