PAKISTAN PEOPLE'S PARTY

PAKISTAN PEOPLE’S PARTY (PPP)

PPP is basically CENTER LEFT party. Center left parties believe in social equality that is achievable by promoting equal opportunities.  This half works with establishment system to improve social justice. It opposes wide gap between classes and work to reduce this economic gap through progressive taxes, minimum wage laws, limit working hour etc. Center left unlike far left claims that complete equality is not possible but equal opportunity is a way to get that. Since its formation in 1967, the PPP has been voted into power on five separate occasions(1970, 1977, 1988, 1993, 2008). The PPP attracted the active participation of the peasants, workers and middle class. Basic principles of PPP enshrined:

·         Islam is our Faith

·         Democracy is our politics

·         Socialism is our Economy

·         All Power to the People

HISTORY

PPP was launched on 30-December, 1967. Where Zulfiqaar Ali Bhutto was elected as chairman. Part soon started to send its message to peasants. They make people believe that they want to end feudalism and start up a new era of socialism where peasants will be given preferences. In 1969, Ayub resigned as a result of mass broke out against him, temporary interim government announced elections. People’s party contested in these elections on slogan “ROTI, KAPRA AUR MAKAAN” and “ALL POWER TO PEOPLE”. PPP was successful in these elections.  At provincial level it was in majority in Sindh and Punjab. In result of civil war outbreak in east Pakistan. At that time Mr. Bhutto took over as chief martial law administrator and President.

PPP remained in government from Dec, 20, 1971 to July 5, 1977. During this period PPP remained busy in making reforms which was improving life of population of Pakistan on every level. Major reforms include announcement of labor policies, old age pensions and group insurance, land reforms, Inaugurated Pakistan's first Nuclear Power Plant at Karachi.  - 28th November, 1972, Constitution of Pakistan passed unanimously - 12th April, 1973. In early 1972, Bhutto nationalized ten categories of major industries and withdrew Pakistan from the Commonwealth of Nations and S. E. A. T. O. On March 1, he introduced extensive land reforms. On July 2, 1972, he signed the Simla Agreement with India for exchange of the occupied territories and release of Prisoners of War. 
After the 1973 Constitution was promulgated, Bhutto was elected by the House as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was sworn-in on August 14, 1973.

In the result of 1973 elections, Zulfiqaar ali Bhutto became prime minister of Pakistan. Major reforms during this period include nationalization of steel chemical industries, flour and rice mills and banks.

In elections of 1977, PNA opposed PPP slogan of socialism. Results were announced and PPP won but PNA members announced elections as unfair and rigged.

At this crucial period Genral Zia ul Haq came and imposed martial law in country and Bhutto was sent behind bars. Mr. Bhutto was framed on a murder-conspiracy charge and executed, rather judicially assassinated-on April 4, 1979. During regime of General Zia hundreds of workers were put to death and thousands were murdered. Thousands were punished and were lashed publically. After death of Zia ul Huq in plane crash, daughter of Zulfiqaar ali Bhutto came forward and Benzie became prime minister in 1988, the first woman to govern an Islamic State.

. Less than two years later, on August 6, 1990, her Government was accused of corruption and dismissed by the President, Ghulam Ishaq Khan, who exercised his power through the controversial Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

The Peoples Party later returned to power in general elections in 1993 by plurality, forming alliance with JUI(F). But as the party governed, the party had the internal factions splits with three main ideological groups: the Bhutto’s, Parliamentarians, Sherpaoism, with Bhuttoism becoming the most influential and powerful in Sindh. Internal opposition and disapproval of Benazir Bhutto's policy by her brother Murtaza Bhutto created a rift in their relations, and finally in 1996, Murtaza Bhutto was assassinated in 1996

The launching of Benazir Income Support Program worth Rs70 billion, Benazir Employees Scheme in more than 80 state owned enterprises, through which 12% shares worth more than Rs110 billion have been given to employees, free of cost.

Benazir was assassinated on 27 December 2007, after these elections were announced to be conducted early. In general elections of 2008, PPP won under leader ship of Asif Ali Zardari.

Major work done under leadership of Zardari as president was:

1. Restoration of Chief Justice : PM Yusuf Raza Gillani announces the restoration of the deposed Chief Justice ,Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and other judges.

2.      Truce with Taliban: Pakistan Govt. announced a truce with Taliban, accepting a system of Islamic Law in the Swat Valley.

3.      Operation Rah-e-Rast: Pakistan Amy launched Operation Rah -e- Rast, and cleared Swat Valley of all Taliban elements. It is regarded as one of the most successful counter-insurgency operations of modern times

ELECTION COMPAIGN 2013-PPP

In election campaign of 2013 , PPP ran the two different political programme, known as "Massawat" ( Egalitarianism) and "People’s Employment Programme" for the youth voters whilst it raised its vintage "Roti Kapra Aur Makaan ( Bread, Cloth, House) slogan during the election campaign. The  PPP  highlighted its implementation of the nationalization and welfare programs that were launched in 2008.   Generally, the PPP's main focused was on gathering its support from Sindh. In a critical editorial written in the English-language newspaper, The Nation, the PPP neglected to highlight the prevailing issue of energy conservation to reduce the repeated cycle of load shedding in the country.

Song title that was used by Pakistan people’s party was “HUM BHUTTO HAIN, HUM BENAZIR HAIN” (We are Bhutto, we are Benazir). This song is sung in Urdu language. By hearing this song you get notion that leader ship of PPP is speaker of song and they are trying to convey a message. This song majorly revolves about working class and assassinated leadership of PPP. They tried to link up assassinations as a result of serving nation.  Listening to music makes you bouncy and enthusiastic and excited. Music and lyrics are very catchy and make you feel that you have the power or ability to act. It lifts up mood.