Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) has become 50 years old and celebrating Golden Jubilee on Wednesday across the country. Though the foundation day anniversary of PPP is due today, but due to the falling of Eid Milad on Friday (December 01), the party is holding its grand function at Parade Ground, federal capital Islamabad on December 5, 2017.
The young chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will address the golden jubilee ceremony of the party. PPP workers from across the country are due to attend the public meeting and show their strength. PPP was founded on November 30, 1967 in the residence of Mubashir Hassan at Lahore with Late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto as chairman. The party has come into power four times with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, Yousaf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervez Ashraf as prime ministers.
Late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto led government founded after the debacle of Dhaka has the credit of return of over 90,000 prisoners of war and huge land from the occupation of India, the constitution of 1973, agriculture and other reforms. However, thin opposition Pakistan National Alliance (PNA) alleged massive rigging in the general elections of 1977, which were swept by the ruling PPP. The protest of the PNA culminated in the imposition of the Martial Law of late General Zia-ul-Haq, who after banning political parties ruled the country till his death in a plane crash on August 17, 1988.
On the arrival of PPP chairperson, Benazir Bhutto was accorded unprecedented huge welcome by the people of Pakistan at Lahore. Under her leadership the party contested the elections of 1988 and formed governments in centre, Sindh and Balochistan. However, it failed to form government in the largest province of Punjab. Benazir Bhutto Shaheed also remained Prime Minister for second time 1993-96, when her government was dismissed by then President Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari.
During the election campaign of the elections of 2008, she was assassinated in an explosion-gun battle at Liaquat bagh Rawalpindi. After the incident, Asif Ali Zardari on the basis of a 'Will' become took the reign of the party. The party succeeded in emerging as largest political party and formed government with Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani as Prime Minister, however after the period of four years; he was disqualified by the apex court for not writing letter to Swiss authorities for the opening of asset case against Asif Ali Zardari, who was then the President of Pakistan.
In the election of May 2013, the party was rooted out from three provinces except Sindh where the party once again constituted its government. The young chairman since last two years is making efforts for the revival of the party. But, so far it is still a challenge for him. The leadership and workers of the party are pinning hopes on the 50th foundation day anniversary. The local leadership has been tasked for bringing maximum number of workers to the event.