ISLAMABAD: The longest-serving Chief Justice of Pakistan retired justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry has said that the presidential form of government is more suited to the country than the parliamentary form.

In an open letter, Justice Chaudhry, who served as CJP from 2005 to 2013 criticised parliamentary form of government, saying that it had failed to address people’s basic problems.

He opposed the monopoly of private sector in health and education and said that the state should be responsible for providing health facilities and education opportunities.

The former CJ said parliamentarians’ role should be restricted to legislation and real power should lie with people’s representatives at grassroots level.

Though the letter did not speak of establishing a political party by the former CJP, his close aides say that this letter was a part of preparations for launch of a party.

Justice Chaudhry had reportedly said earlier this year that he would launch a political party on Dec 25.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2015