Iftikhar Chaudhry launches his party

E-Paper | February 28, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Former chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry launched on Friday a political party namely ‘Pakistan Justice Democratic Critic Party (PJDCP)’.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, he said the PJDCP would welcome only non-corrupt people, adding that the party’s aim would be to solve people’s problems.

Mr Chaudhry, 66, said his party would work on a 25-point agenda, including in the sectors of health and education and land reforms. Provision of justice to the common man would be the basic manifesto of his party, he added.

The ceremony was attended by lawyers, civil society activists and others.

Earlier, the ex-CJ had said that he would announce his political party and manifesto on Dec 25.

Iftikhar Chaudhry was appointed 18th chief justice of Pakistan by then president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf on June 30, 2005.

In 2007 Mr Musharraf asked Iftikhar Chaudhry to resign, but he refused and the conflict between the two led to the latter’s suspension on Nov 3, 2007.

He was reinstated on March 22, 2009 and retired on Dec 11, 2013.

Iftikhar Chaudhry was one of those whom Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan had accused of having played a key role in alleged rigging in the 2013 general elections.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2015

Pakistan

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Ashraf Choudhry

Dec 27, 2015 08:21am

Simple. He must organise grooming ,training of middle class after due process of selection and offer the finished product .Two years of planned preparation and majority in provinces as well as Centre Is guaranteed.Being selfless is a precondition.

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Fawad khan

Dec 27, 2015 08:23am

It is good that educated people are getting involved in politics. It is unfortunate that no party is democratic enough so that you join and through your capabilities become its head. So every time you want to lead a party, the only option left is to make your own.

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angry young man

Dec 27, 2015 08:28am

One man party.

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Engr. khan

Dec 27, 2015 08:30am

Justice word shall not be part of any party. Seems justice is being politicized.

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Engr. khan

Dec 27, 2015 09:13am

Word Justice shall not be part of any political party, it gives an impression that Justice is being politicized.

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Life

Dec 27, 2015 09:22am

One more party selling dreams to Pakistanis. I am not a buyer. Thanks.

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Mike London

Dec 27, 2015 09:28am

It is just what they need in Pakistan, one more party!!

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Dr Khalid Nabi

Dec 27, 2015 09:37am

I migrated to US about 43 ago. I have closely watch the events here in US and in Pakistan since I was raised and educated in Pakistan. I also admire Justice Chaudhry for being a bold and courageous individual, however I totally disagree with his saying that no corrupt individual will be accepted to his party. If this is the criteria then it will be a one man party (common man on the street is an exception). My advice to honorable former Chief Justice is that open up his party membership to every one(Major Players) who likes to join. Write the party's Ethics Statement that any one found to continue his corrupt practices will be kicked out. This way he can take a decent start. Hope I made my point.

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Sajjad

Dec 27, 2015 09:55am

:) :) Now first time i am feeling pity for my countrymen

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razi

Dec 27, 2015 10:05am

I am sure he will get a few hundred votes.

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Dec 27, 2015 10:31am

In my opinion His target is only Balochistan .... in this perspective it's good to have an educated person to lead a party and to revamp education and health standards over there! All the best !!!

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Imran Khan

Dec 27, 2015 10:44am

Flop party

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Maqsood

Dec 27, 2015 11:39am

Same As usual,because they will be the same society people.

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Naveed

Dec 27, 2015 11:59am

Chaudry Sb should realize that there are one to many political parties, he should take a break and enjoy retired life.

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Abdulla Hussain

Dec 27, 2015 12:11pm

Too early. The name Pakistan Justice Democratic Critic Party too complicated.

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Yaar Nawab

Dec 27, 2015 01:32pm

Boring name !!!! Can't replace Tehreek-I-Insaaf !!!

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Zeeshan

Dec 27, 2015 01:48pm

Good step.

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Parvez

Dec 27, 2015 01:51pm

This will turn out to be an exercise in irrelevance....like Musharraf's party.

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Dec 27, 2015 02:01pm

Lawsuit party.

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Justice

Dec 27, 2015 03:29pm

The only person who has not held govt post or linked to previous govts is IMRAN KHAN. He is the only person capable and intelligent to solve Pakistani corrupt behaviour and the only person who has Pakistan's success at heart. With him is 'what you see is what you get'. Ex-Chief justice had all the time to do justice by putting corrupt politicians in prison yet he failed to do so and now he has the cheek to set up another political party to carry out what he should have done before.

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Noshin

Dec 27, 2015 04:24pm

Actually he is sick of prevailing systems and delayed justice... Not a bad idea

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Noshin

Dec 27, 2015 04:24pm

Good luck

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Fayyaz Ali

Dec 27, 2015 04:39pm

Justice begins at home, Arsalan Iftikhar case needs justice.

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Daood

Dec 27, 2015 05:22pm

sure, like we don't have enough of those already

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Dec 27, 2015 06:01pm

Very good idea. It is about time educated men & women join this party who have worked full time to support their families. I for one will join the party. Please publish the address.

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Muhammad Irfan

Dec 27, 2015 06:16pm

When he was the CJ...he just protected the interests of richest people & industrialists...!!

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kam

Dec 27, 2015 06:28pm

Yet another political party! When will Pakistani people realise that multiple parties, multiple interest groups will not solve the problems. You need ONE platform for a singular demand that is Depoliticization of state institutions. That's all that is needed to fix the country. Simple.

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Dr.Naseem

Dec 27, 2015 06:38pm

We welcome ex Cj new political party but we hope he will do some thing else instead of other parties

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Ayaz

Dec 27, 2015 07:02pm

Justice starts at home... Arsalan

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M.Z.Khan

Dec 27, 2015 07:05pm

New political party with old wine in new bottle.fPakistan needs social and financial statesmen and these are available in Pakistan and unfortunately political parties are reluctant to engage them.I shall osuggest to the managers of this new party to engage social and financial experts for the new vision of Pakistan

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kazim

Dec 27, 2015 07:23pm

He will fail.

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DVK

Dec 27, 2015 07:28pm

Too many parties blurr choice of people. Three to four major parties are enough so the people can give decisive mandate. Dozens of parties and coalition politics hampers fast growth.

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Someone (Pak)

Dec 27, 2015 07:37pm

@kazim inshallah

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sohail

Dec 27, 2015 07:37pm

He will realize soon that people tend to be different when it comes to election & choosing a candidate.

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athar

Dec 27, 2015 08:01pm

Man was with ambitions during his tenure as CJ. His decisions were more a political rhetoric with populous slogans. He tried to keep himself in media through fancy and catchy statements. Addict with the complex of high protocol, he used to get guard of honour from law enforcement agencies which was abandoned by later CJs. All those who stood up with him during famous lawyer movement felt embarrassed the way he had shown up after reinstatement. He used his office to get his son posted on lucrative posts, who was otherwise suitable for Section Officer only. Announcing a new political party will be a less surprise for all those who had closely monitored his tumultuous career as ambitious CJ of Pakistan. I am anxiously awaiting the reaction of Aitzaz Ahsan who was very close to him during lawyer movement. What ever be the fate of this new party, one thing is clear- a new Tahir ul Qadri has emerged on the stage who will be readily available for any dharnan and disruptions.

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M M AMIN(. Old Ravian )

Dec 27, 2015 08:03pm

Does the retd C J know there will be some questions not too easy to escape ? Also what about the official security and protocol he was using ?. Have all the dangers gone ? Politics is a dangerous pastime in Pakistan .

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ashutosh sharma

Dec 27, 2015 08:08pm

Political party should be formed for a cause not for personal ambitions.

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khan

Dec 27, 2015 08:29pm

very nice move....beneficial for pakistan....new players in the game always add value to the game...political landscape of pakistan really needs diversification.

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Aziz Ahmed

Dec 27, 2015 08:46pm

Pakistan definitely needs a strong political party which can truly represent common people. One wonders whether Justice party can provide true leadership .

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Imad Qureshi

Dec 27, 2015 08:54pm

So Nawaz Sharif asked him to create a political party to break the vote bank of PTI. Not a bad idea. If this guy was selfless then why did he never took even one suo motto against Nawaz Sharif.

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kach

Dec 27, 2015 09:09pm

I tHink its good that more parties coming in. 1 more will be anounced soon .

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imran

Dec 27, 2015 10:58pm

@Fayyaz Ali well Said... I am from Quetta and studied in Same College and Arsalan failed in one subject and still managed to get admission in Bolan medical college. he is corrupt Judge and none of the souto moto actions ever see their end results

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Muslim Medina

Dec 27, 2015 11:42pm

Chaudhry Sahib, all parties start with the agenda you have. What happens after that can you guarantee you will stick to what you say.

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Pakistani

Dec 28, 2015 01:22am

I love the name of his party

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Mohd Tariq

Dec 28, 2015 01:32am

@Fayyaz Ali You said it!

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Arshad V

Dec 28, 2015 02:30am

@angry young man , Are you referring to Musharraf's Party? I think u r right

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Arshad V

Dec 28, 2015 02:45am

I am a big supporter of him but this party is bad idea. He should have formed a good think tank. But since he started it , I would glade to support him any way possible from North America. Good Luck Sir

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Syed V Hasan

Dec 28, 2015 04:50am

Yes he should join politics so that he could fulfill his dreams which he could not realize during his tenure as CJ

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Kala Ingrez - کالا انگریز - काला अंग्रेज - কালো ইংরাজি

Dec 28, 2015 05:07am

Such a long name and an English name for a party about to seek justice for all Pakistanis – sounds like a club consist of IC and his old friends. Majority of Pakistani would not be able to understand the name... sounds like former chief Justice Sahib should go back to drawing board and rename the party with a local name - he should know that the Supreme court is already asking the government to implement Urdu in all departments - looks like former Chief Justice is lagging behind time and living in his own little world.

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Abdul Sheikh

Dec 28, 2015 05:58am

it is an other suo motu action.

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khan

Dec 28, 2015 06:13am

he could have joined ppp or pmln or mqm , and could brought reforms in these. another party no chance at all.

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Ahmad Zubair

Dec 28, 2015 07:39am

Courageous step. Hope to bring justice in democracy of Pakistan.