2008 history of PPP

Looking at the recent history of one of the historical party of Pakistan which is full of tragic details in their history, another big disastrous news to PPP followers falls when the most functional and first former women PM Benazir Bhutto in the history of Pakistan was murdered, when she was conducting elections campaigns in 2007.

As we all already knows that BB was the daughter of Z.A Bhutto and after his father death he raises his party until she was exiled from the country. After her come back to the country in 2007, the followers welcomed her graciously but soon after her return she faces numerous life threat. The saddened event occurred on 11th of May when she was coming from airport towards her house among her many followers, from there her bad time started where her way was attacked by terrorist by suicide bombings. In that place, her many followers died but she survived. But when conducting an election campaign on 27th of Dec 2007 she was again attacked but unfortunately she didn’t survived this time and the whole nation mourned her death for several days. Soon after her death, Asif Ali Zardari declared their son as the new chairmen of PPP.

The 2008 general elections in Pakistan which were planned to be held in January were delayed until 18 February. The PPP won the significant triumph on among all political parties in Pakistan, having a force of general seats 121 from all provinces in the Parliament, at the same time as the centre-right, Pakistan Muslim League (N) secured second place, running to secure 91 seats from country-wide. In 2008, the co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari proclaimed to finish the fourth dictatorship when he stated: "Pakistan was on its way of ridding dictatorships forever", and plead to the PML (N) leader, Nawaz Sharif, to outline an alliance scheming over half the seats in Pakistan's 342 seat parliament.

Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif officially signed the agreement on this on 9th of March 2008.

Titled the PPP-PML summit declaration, the shared declaration both parties decided on the restoration of judges oust through the emergency rule enforced on 3 November 2007 by General Pervez Musharraf in 30 days following the new federal government was fashioned. On 28 March, the PPP assigned Yousaf Raza Gillani as the new PM and formed alliance rule with PML (N) in Punjab, Awami National Party in KPK, JUI(F) in Baluchistan and MQM in Sindh. On other hand, the PPP declared the private mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan andKashmir. though, this pact was afterwards was dishonored by PPP government, after which PML(N) leaved from alliance and federal government.

Asif Ali Zardari was nominated for the coming presidential elections of that year by his party. After that he got 481 votes out of 700 and hence he become the President of Pakistan.

On April 2010, president Zardari willingly give up his political and presidential authority to PM Gillani and the parliament, and during 18th amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, Zardari relocate the right of government and political appointments, and powers to put into effect the right of government to prime minister Gillani as part of country's road to parliamentary democracy. although rising disapproval, it has managed to preserve a great vote bank in deeper Sindh and South Punjab. On national front, it is currently competing against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim League (N). On 22 June 2012, the PPP nominated Raja Pervez Ashraf was elected as the new Pakistan PM.

But it didn’t ended here, the PPP government was badly failed and due to this several protest and long marches have been made.

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1970 General Election and PPP

1970 General Election and PPP

From 1967 to 2015 PPP has faced numerous difficulties, having assassination of their leaders PPP still hold out to be the 2nd most voted political party in Pakistan. the ups and downs of the party can be viewed through the following table, which will highlight the General elections in Pakistan through 1970 to 2013 and the seating, party leader and parliamentary position of the PPP.

General Elections	Seating Graph	Presiding chair of the party	Parliamentary position
1970	81/300	Z.A Bhutto	In Government
1977	155/200	Z.A Bhutto	Martial Law in effect
1985	-	Nusrat Isphani	-
1988	94/247	Benazir Bhutto	In Government
1990	44/207	Benazir Bhutto	In opposition
1993	89/207	Benazir Bhutto	In Government
1997	17/207	Benazir Bhutto	In opposition
2002	62/207	Amin Fahim	In opposition
2008	124/342	Benazir Bhutto Yousaf Raza Gillani	In Government
2013	47/272	Billawal Bhutto Zardari	In opposition

                                                                                                

After its establishment, the party gained distinction at an instantaneous, magnetizing the poor bunch peasants and workforce, and students all through in West Pakistan. The democratic socialists and Bhutto himself knocked a gesticulate of annoyance and showed sturdy resistance against Ayub Khan, leading the civil chaos, defiance, and mayhem that forced Ayub Khan to detained talks with Bhutto who would later opposed the Six point movement, offered by Bengali leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The nonstop argument, and pressure forced Ayub Khan to quit from the presidency in 1969, leading to burden of martial law by Army Commander General Yahya Khan after promising to seize elections in two years. throughout this time, the Peoples Party strengthen its sustain in West Pakistan, systematizing itself and gaining prop up from poor masses in West Pakistan. Its communist catchphrase Roti Kapra Aur Makaan (English: Food, Cloth, and Shelter) and "all supremacy to the people", added popularize the party and the fame that crop up Bhutto and the Peoples Party.

During the 1970 parliamentary elections, the Peoples Party participated with complete force, originally conquering the far-right faction and the centre-right forces in West-Pakistan, though the Peoples Party was resolutely beaten by the moderate democratic Awami League in East-Pakistan. throughout the election movement, the party's renowned leftist philosophers and communists rational, such as Malik Meraj, JA Rahim, Meraj Muhammad, Mubashir Hassan, and Zulfi Bhutto himself demanded a great rage to the public over numerous political subjects. anxiety arisen with Peoples' League and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the ideological disparity added make amid bricks of abhorrence towards each other. The circumstances reached to a pinnacle in 1970 where Awami League held 160 seats out of 300 where the Peoples Party winning the 81 of 138 seats owed to West Pakistan in the National Assembly.

Bhutto decline to permit Rahman to become the prime minister of Pakistan, and eminently calling "break the legs" if any self-ruled socialists of Peoples Party tried to be present at the introductory meeting. in its place, he presented the idea of having two prime ministers for both wings. At his proposals he received heavily criticism from East of Pakistan. After then Bhutto conveyed his message from Dr. Mubashir Hassan, whereupon it was decided to have a coaillited government with Bhutto as president and Mujib as PM. Although, these developments were not publicized and the Military was totally unaware of the fact. Quickly after military launch, the circumstances changed in both wings which created differences among both wings.

Bhutto and Peoples Party gave condemnation to Yayha Khan's exploitation of the circumstances which led the arrests of Bhutto and members of Peoples Party who apprehended with Mujibur Rahman in recognized Adiala Jail. This was followed by Indian involvement which led the harsh crush of Pakistan Armed Forces and Pakistan itself, after East-Pakistan gained impetus and became Bangladesh in 1971.

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PTI

Pakistan Threek-e-Insaaf (PTI)

The political journey of Pakistan Threek-e-Insaaf (PTI) rises during the regime of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in 2008. The Government was failed to achieve any triumphs during their regime. This started corruptions to rise in the society and terrorism augmented.

By witnessing such crisis in Pakistan, khan started his campaigns to aware it people that what is happening inside Pakistan. By looking the efforts of Imran khan the public started following him, which was witnessed by the whole nation. The political crowds arranged by PTI were so enormous and fully functional, thorough which he develops strong relationships to its followers.  By his strong efforts, PTI has become the largest party by membership having 10 million members in Pakistan as well as in abroad.

Looking at the general information of the party, where its slogan is Justice, humanity and Self Esteem. The head quarters of PTI lie in G-6/4 ISB. PTI has three wings of the party namely student wing, women wing and youth wing.

In 2013 general elections in Pakistan, PTI gained following seats in different assemblies

• 35 seats out of 342 seats in National assembly
• 28 seats out 371 seats in Punjab assembly
• 56 seats out of 124 in KPK assembly
• 4 seats out of 168 seats in Sindh assembly
• None seats at Baluchistan assembly
• 1 seat out 41 in AJK legislative assembly

Overall PTI secured 3^rd position in General elections in Pakistan. In recent Senate election 2015 PTI gained 6 seats out of 104 seats in the house.

Policies of PTI include areas of Social, Education, Political, Defense, Drone Bombings and Foreign Affairs.

As a radical party that has freshly arrived on the nationalized stage, the PTI has called for main societal, financial, and political reorganization. The PTI's beliefs are derived primarily from Allama Iqbal's visualization of a self-sufficient contemporary democracy resulting from the steering values intrinsic in Islam.

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PTI Political Journey

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf

Starting with political party’s journey here I am discussing the political journey of one of the very famous parties i.e. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf nowadays and that is heavily followed by young generation too. In back times we have seen youth followers when Z.A Bhutto started its movement. But currently we are watching that how our youth is actively participating in political movements of the country due to the efforts put by their parties leaders, who are trying somehow a different approach that is attracting the public. The followers are not just from a specific age group but it is receiving its followers from different age groups.

Looking at the background of PTI, which came into being on 25^th April 1996 by a veteran cricketer turned politician “Imran Khan”.  It is difficult to establish your political party at such big level when there is family based political parties in Pakistan, that have established their reputation over years and years. Somehow it affected PTI for many years as it didn’t gain popularity. But 2012 turn to be lucky for PTI as it gain much more followers and well known leaders from many big parties like Shah Mehmood Qureshi From PPP and Javaid Hashmi from PML(N).

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's constitution was accepted on 24 January 1999 by the Central Executive Committee in Lahore. In October 2002, Khan holds for office in the National Elections and became a member of parliament from Mianwali, his home town. Khan, nonetheless, remained severely critical of the whole political order of Pakistan, which he believed fraudulent, inept, and morally bereft of any of the naissance ideologies of Pakistan. In dissent, Khan began a proletariat movement to raise attentiveness about his political party.

After Benazir Bhutto was murdered in 2007 and Nawaz Sharif comes back from self-exile in Saudi Arabia, demands augmented upon President Musharraf to embrace democratic elections. PTI, in concurrence with many political parties, united the All Parties Democratic Movement, which was conflicting to more martial rule.  That year general elections turned to be in the favor of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). And that election was boycotted by PTI.

Throughout the Asif Ali Zardari's government, Imran Khan's fame ascends amid dissatisfaction with the decree supervision domestic and foreign strategy. PTI's crucial plea is its qualifications as a populist party. PTI has sworn to fashion a really self-governing, independent Pakistan which is liberated from arrears, enslavement, and dispute if chosen to power. In Pakistan: A Personal History, PTI chairman Khan row that a self-centered and crooked ruling elite, fabricated of primarily politicians, feudal leaders, and military bureaucrats, has shattered Pakistan and brought it to the edge of debacle. PTI uphold that it symbolizes all Pakistanis, despite of religious, ethnic, linguistic, and provincial backgrounds.

In 2013 General elections PTI to be the 3^rd most voted political party of Pakistan. The further details of this Party and other parties will be discussed in next sessions. For more related information or to know your political candidate or you want to see political parties profile, do visit www.pakvoter.org.

Know your political candidate

Know your political candidate

In democratic state, citizens cast their vote on the origin of political beliefs, mutual interests and policies of political parties. However, currently where we live, vote is casted on the basis of self-interests, caste system, language, customs, traditions, sectarian relationship and local alliance. In such circumstances the voter is not fully aware of the candidate he or she is voting for.

In some scenarios it has also been observed that we vote on the basis of the personality or in other words likeness of the candidate without even knowing the silhouette of the political party or of the candidate. We have been teaches as not to judge by the appearance but usually we do so.

Even if political parties issue their political policies or you can say their manifesto earlier to elections, nevertheless, such policies continue to be sheltered and even not read by their own candidates, the citizens’ access to policies is the far-flung question.

The candidates give their information to Election Commission of Pakistan that is also kept hidden from citizens. As the consequence, an election passes the parliament holding intermingling of several connections, interests, and ambitions. Due to this, governments formed on alliance of political parties and some interest groups usually fail to convey the mutual public interests in achieving their vested interests and goals. In disenchantment, the citizens imagine governments’ failure as malfunction of democracy and start blameworthiness on democracy as flawed and unsuccessful system.

The time demands that the nation should now get aware with the association of elections with the democracy and Good Governance. An election that is held in veracity brings forward a true government that is elected by the people with the help of their informed decisions.

An informed verdict is when voters know their political parties and candidates of their preference, their previous acts, their policies, and their sincerity of being a good parliamentarian, their social and economic profiles. Such government formed on citizens’ informed decision will deliver good governance according to people aspirations. So what matters is that we should know our political candidate fully.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Elections

In Pakistan, Second agenda of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan endow for election to president of Pakistan. According to which, before one month to cessation of president term, it is the duty of the ECP (Election Commission of Pakistan) to hold and perform election for the President and CEC (Chief Election Commissioner) shall be the Returning Officer for such election. Likewise, ECP assign Presiding Officers to supervise at the meeting of the affiliates of Parliament and at the convention of the associates of the Provincial Assemblies.

The CEC by open announcement fixes the venue for submission of nomination papers, holding an inquiry, making abandonment, if any, and holding the poll, if obligatory. Any affiliate of the Parliament or of a Provincial Assembly may propose an individual entitled for election as President, by conveying to the Presiding Officer a nomination paper, signed by himself as proposer and by another component of the Parliament or, as the case may be Assembly as secondary, mutually with a declaration signed by the individual nominated that he assent to the nomination.

After inspection, CEC announces, by open announcement, the names of the individual genuinely nominated, to be hereinafter called the candidate(s). According to the constitution of Pakistan, Article 41, President’s Electoral College consists of members of both Houses i.e. Senate and National Assembly and constituent of Provincial Assemblies. The particular Presiding Officers perform the poll at the congregation of Parliament and of each Provincial Assembly. The poll is held by secret ballot listing the names of all the candidates in alphabetical order. An individual place his votes by marking against the candidate for whom he/she wishes to vote.

later than, CEC find out the end result of the election in the following manner, namely:

(a)   the number of votes cast in the Parliament in errand of each candidate shall be counted;

(b)   the number of votes cast in a Provincial Assembly in errand of each candidate shall be multiplied by the total number of seats in the Provincial Assembly for the time being having the smallest number of seats and divided by the total number of seats in the Provincial Assembly in which the votes have been cast; and the vote is counted by following formula:

 (No. of Votes obtained by candidate in PA × lowest No. in PAs (65 being lowest))/Total members of relevant provincial Assembly

In this formula, each province has an equal share of vote in President’s Electoral College. That shows that the each constituent of the Punjab Assembly has 65/371 = 0.175 votes, each member of the Sindh Assembly has 65/168 = 0.387 votes, each member of the NWFP Assembly has 65/124 = 0.524 votes and each member of the Baluchistan Assembly has 65/65 = 1 vote.

(c)  the number of votes calculated in the manner referred to in clause (b) shall be added to the number of votes counted under clause (a).The candidate who has obtained the largest number of votes compiled in the manner specified above is declared by the CEC to be elected.

Political Development from 2007 onwards

By having a rule of almost 10 years the public of Pakistan feel rejected to see Pervaiz Musharaf and his government and after the return of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz sharif who were exile for years and also the leaders of strongest political parties in Pakistan i.e. PPP and PML (N) the public feel a new revolution in the air of Pakistan leading more difficulties in the path of Musharaf who was facing big challenges in the name of day by day increasing terrorism. On the other hand Benazir was facing some serious threats and thus was welcomed by the blast which was then named as “Saniha Karsaz” killing numerous PPP followers fortunately Benazir survived in this attack, but when conducting an election rally in Rawalpindi she was shot in the head which proves to be fatal. Thus the nation feel devastated at the terrible loss of the great Politician. The death of Benazir thus caused the elections to be postponed for the few months so the political situations should be controlled.

Benazir's Assassination 

In 2008 nation feel emotionally attached to the PPP who was then supervised by Benazir‘s son i.e. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari who became the chairmen of PPP. Thus PPP proved to be victorious in the elections that were held on 18^thof February 2008 followed by PML (N). On the other hand PTI had already withdrawn from the elections.

Soon after PPP rule as a government the economic unbalance started too fretful. Higher rates of Petrol, Diesel, and daily basis living things put aggression in the public. The government neither solved any problem instead keep on raising prices.

After their rule which was not successful at all the country was fallen into mounts of debts and high prices of everything.

As a result of government failure Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri held a long 

Long March

march on 14^thJan of that year in Islamabad in D chowk to derail the government of Pakistan with heavy crowds. He sets his conditions to held elections ASAP.  By setting protest for three days and having several meetings with the government authorities they compromise on following conditions:

First and most prior demand was to call for electoral reforms i.e. vetoing corrupt incumbents from taking part in the elections and to bring forward the date for the election ASAP. 

Qadri also demanded for the interim government from the input of judiciary and military to hold the charge of the country before elections, as this concept abolishes the history of Pakistan so this offer was refused by the military. Upon reaching Islamabad Qadri put a new demand for the Parliament dissolution by 15^th of Jan by making president of Pakistan “an ex president”. The protest last for 3 days which results in putting new demands day by day. Now the demand was to dissolution of provincial assemblies and disbanding of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The demands of Qadri were accepted in such a way that Elections to be held on 11^th of May.National Assembly would be dissolved before 16^th of March and elections to be held within 90 days following one month of scrutiny under Articles 61 and 62 under the constitution of Pakistan.

Qadri congratulated protesters on the night of 17^th Jan after meeting with the government correspondent and said “It is a day of victory for the marchers and the nation alike. [I thank] Almighty Allah who bestowed His blessings [on the protesters].”

2013 elections then appeared to be bogus by having numerous corruptions in most of the NA’s. Imran khan the chairmen of PTI held countrywide protest stating to re held the elections.

2007-2013 political development causes great disturbance in the country economic situation. Day by day protest has also caused the business of the public to be shuttered down, schools to be off and same is the case of work. Moreover due to strikes the roads were blocked which causes people to stay at home and patients to die on road. May such situations never ever come in the future Pakistan Ameen.  

Dictatorship

After Pakistan independence in August 1947, history of Pakistan has faced many dictatorship also known as military coups starting in 1958. From time to time different phases of dictatorship has came from 1958 – 1971, 1977 – 1988,  1999-2008.

Military Coups

Starting from 1958 in which Constitution Assembly of Pakistan was dismissed by first Pakistani president Major General Iskander Mirza. He also dismissed prime minister of Pakistan Firoz khan noon assigning General Ayub khan as the Chief Martial Law administrator. Thirteen days later, Mirza himself was toppled by Ayub Khan, who take on himself as a president.

General Zia-ul-haq

In 1977 Chief of Army staff General Zia-ul-haq confined the Prime Minister Bhutto and some of the members of National Alliance. On media General Zia broadcast the message of the dissolved of the Parliament and Provincial Assemblies and that theConstitution of Pakistan to be suspended. The stern rule of General Zai pioneer the concept of strict but modern form of conservatism which endorsed the nationalistic and religious programs.

Ghulam Ishaq khan Become the president of Pakistan after the tragedic death of General Zia. Ishaq unchecked the presidential powers and was known to be close to the Military. He thwarted the regime of both prime ministers in 1990 Benazir and Nawaz Sharif in 1993, lasting his own resignation in Pakistan under Waheed Kakar formula.

In 1999 Nawaz sharif and his ministers were caught up by the loyal senior officers of General Pervez Musharraf endeavoring his rule thwarting his plane form landing in Pakistan after returning from the visit to Sri lanka.

There are several unsuccessful attempts to dictatorship too in the history of Pakistan. At first it was Rawalpindi Conspiracy 1949 led by Major General Akbar Khan along with Liaquat Ali khan who was the first prime minister of Pakistan.

Conspiracies started to begin in 1980 against General Zia assassination on Pakistan day  which were revealed resulted in thwarting.

Islamic extremist along with General Zahir Islam Abbasi tried to over throw the regime of Benazir which was foiled.  

Unemployment in Pakistan

The primary problem nowadays whole world is facing is of unemployment, which is increasing rapidly day by day. Due to unemployment many new crimes takes place. Pakistan that is an Asian country is facing some serious troubles in the name of unemployment because our resources have been wasted since the first day. We may find many educated persons jobless in our own family, friends and neighbors. Over years ago Master degree was so profound that jobs were fore granted to them, but now we won’t see only Master’s jobless but also the Doctorate ones too. For that we cannot blame the talent of Pakistani because whole world knows that Pakistanis are very talented and because of no value of their talent they are forced to do job in foreign countries to earn their livelihood.

Unemployment in Pakistan

No class in Pakistan remained untouched from being unemployed whether unskilled or skilled. The labor class is also affected by that and due to that the living standard is getting more miserable day by day. The basic needs and rights of every Pakistani are demolished in the burden of how to live happily with there family, they are desperately waiting for a chance to get out of there and that is one of the reason why our country is making no effort for future. We've made some effort to highlight some of the causes of Unemployment in Pakistan.

Causes of Unemployment

As there are many reasons of unemployment but we’re highlighting some of the major ones.

Over Population

The growth of population in Pakistan is uncontrolled, according to the statics the population of Pakistan is increasing at the rate of 2.2%. The causes to that can be many like early marriages, illiteracy, desires for sons and lack of awareness. Due to that we’re bringing some more uneducated persons and government is unable to provide jobs to them.

Fault in Education System

The education system in Pakistan has been on lopsided since its creation and that’s why many colleges and universities are selling degrees because of no standard and people are wondering that why they don’t have any job even if they have a degree with them. The entry level job in Pakistan is also demanded by experienced. How come any person could get a job having no experience, he need a start from somewhere but God knows how many hurdles he has to face to get a job. That’s why Pakistani prefer to study and live abroad to have stable learning and earning.

Terrorism in Pakistan

In earlier blogs we've mentioned that how terrorism is affecting Pakistan but let’s discuss that in this perspective. As we all know that Pakistan trades and business is being handled in Karachi and the situation in Karachi is getting worse and worse. They are facing target killings, robberies, murders, violence, day to day protest and blast. Due to this unstable environment the foreigners are also afraid to invest in Pakistan and without any investors how can Pakistan manage to give job opportunities to its people.

Energy Crises

We've already mention in our blog Energy Crises in Pakistan that how energy causes is bringing unemployment in Pakistan that even person having a job at morning comes in evening without any job. The country with uncountable natural resources and which has atomic power too is lacking of energy crises, how is that possible? And the answer is simple we've our resources but there is no proper planning and that’s why we’re bound to waste our resources. The Government of Pakistan is unable to provide power in residential areas, so how can they manage to give power to factories and industries and because of that factories and industries are out sourcing their work in other countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India. Hence bringing large amount of labor class to unemployment.

Age of Retirement

The age of retirement in Pakistan is very high; a person having a age of 60 years is getting retired by the Government of Pakistan so we can directly blame our government for that. A person having fresh mind and skill is beat by the person who is old enough and needs rest now. Young generation is without job and elders ones are bound to support there family at such high age where they need rest.

Refugees

When America attacked Afghanistan in 2001, plenty of Afghans migrated to Pakistan. For having some earning they were ready to work in fewer money in labor markets, that cause the labors of Pakistan to lose there jobs.

By proper planning we can work out for every problem. By making education system equal for every one, by training young ones with good skills and technical information, by removing energy crises we can bring our investors back, the age of retirement should be less. However it is a difficult task for Pakistan but still its not impossible. Government of Pakistan can take proper actions for that by educating people by making them aware for all the mess.

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