Guide Note

The PPP, or Pakistan People's Party is a central-left political party in Pakistan. The party was led by assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, and is now officially run by her son, Bilawal Bhutto. Senior party officials, including his father Asif Ali Zardari, will handle day to day operations of the party until Bilawal Bhutto finishes his education. After winning a slim majority in the 2008 Pakistan Elections, the PPP has agreed to form a Coalition Government with long-time rivals, the PML-N.

Fast Facts

Founded: November 30, 1967
Founder: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Leader: Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto
Formerly led by Benazir Bhutto
Political Platform: Islamic Socialism, center-left populism
Party Creed: "Islam is our faith; democracy is our politics; socialism is our economy; all power to the people."
The PPP's leadership is consider more educated than other political parties in Pakistan
Won a majority 121 seats in the 2008 Pakistan Elections
Has agreed to form a Coalition Government with long-time rivals the PML-N

2008 Election Results

The PPP won 121 parliamentary seats out of 342 in the 2008 Election. Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari declared that, with this victory, "Pakistan was on its way of ridding dictatorships for ever." He then proposed a coalition government to PML-N leader, Nawaz Sharif. On March 9, 2008 the parties signed an agreement forming a Pakistan Coalition Government that controlled over half of the seats in parliament. Zardari announced that this coalition had been a dream of former PPP leader, Benazir Bhutto. On March 23, 2008 it was announced that Yousuf Raza Gillani would become Pakistan's new prime minister. The coalition, if it can find agreement and work effectively, is widely thought to be a major step towards limiting the power of President Pervez Musharraf.

Categories

News | Groups and Organizations | Politics | Political Groups | Pakistan

View Note History

PPP

The Mahalo Top 7

Official Site: Pakistan People's Party and PPP USA
Wikipedia: Pakistan People's Party
Country Studies: Pakistan People's Party
The Hindu: PPP's Fahim in Race for Prime Minister's Post (February 22, 2008)
Reuters: Jubilant Bhutto Supporters Fete Vote, Look to Future (February 19, 2008)
Dawn: PPP Won’t Allow Rigging (December 27, 2007)
Washington Post: When I Return to Pakistan (September 20, 2007)

PPP Recent News

Google News: Pakistan People's Party
The Hindu: PPP Parliamentary Party Meets (February 22, 2008)
The Hindu: Prime Minister will be from PPP, says PML-N (February 22, 2008)
Sify News: PPP, PML-N to form Coalition Govt in Pakistan (February 22, 2008)
Dawn: Victors Prepare for PPP-led Coalition (February 20, 2008)
FoxNews: Bhutto's Husband, Son Named Co-chairs of Pakistan People's Party (December 30, 2007)
Times of India: We are Completely Shattered: PPP (December 27, 2007)
Daily Times: Lahoris’ Love of Candidates Primary Reason for Voting (December 27, 2007)
Earth Times: PPP Terms Benazir Assassination a 'Cowardly Act' (December 27, 2007)
MeriNews: Police on the Loose in Pakistan: PPP Feels Harassed (December 27, 2007)
FOX News: Bhutto's Party Goes On-Line Globally for Support (December 26, 2007)
Daily Times: PPP Demands Proper Jammers for BB’s Security (December 26, 2007)
BBC News: Pakistan: The Balance of Forces (December 17, 2007)

PPP Background and Articles

Official Site: Pakistan People's Party: Brief History
Pakistan Elections 2008: Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP)

Islamic Socialism

Mahalo's Guide to Islamic Socialism
Wikipedia: Islamic Socialism
SocialistAppeal: Benazir and the Pakistan People's Party (October 23, 2007)
New Zeal: Socialist Origins of the Pakistan People's Party (December 28, 2007)
CIAO Net: Pakistan: Impact of Islamic Socialism (2004)

Woman's Rights

Reuters: Reform Hudood Laws Now (2006)
INSTRAW: Bills for Women's Rights Introduced in National Assembly (2006)
Dawn: Women's Day Rally: PPP Accuses Govt of Rights' Violations (2005)
PeaceWomen: Religious Fervor Blocking Moves Against Gender Discrimination (2004)

PPP Videos and Media

YouTube: Rallying for Ex-PM (Time 01:23)
Google Video: PPP Rally Los Angeles (Time 01:11)
Google Image Search: Pakistan People's Party
Yahoo! Image Search: Pakistan People's Party
Live Search Images: Pakistan People's Party
Flickr: Pakistan People's Party

PPP Blogs and Commentary

New Zeal: Marxist View of Assassination of Benazir Bhutto (December 28, 2007)
Daily Times: Changes in Politics of Hate? (December 27, 2007)
Huffington Post: Bhutto Backlash (December 27, 2007)
Informed Comment: Benazir Bhutto has been Assassinated... (December 27, 2007)
Pakistan People's Party Blog: Why the World Needs Democracy in Pakistan (December 10, 2007)

PPP Timeline

1967: November 30, The Pakistan People's Party is formed by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
1979: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is executed by Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq
1984: Benazir Bhutto becomes the leader in exile of the PPP
1988: November 16, The PPP wins the majority seat of the National Assembly
1988: December 2, Benazir Bhutto is sworn in as Prime Minister of the coalition government
1990: Bhutto's government is dismissed on corruption charges
1993: Benazir Bhutto is reelected, only to be dismissed again on similar charges of corruption
2002: The Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians is formed as an electoral extension of the PPP

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