The political party of Pakistan formed by Z.A. Bhutto. The party captured power after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. In the elections held in 1977, the party returned to power by an overwhelming majority.
The elections had been boycotted by the opposition parties on the ground that they were not free and fair. As a result, political uncertainty prevailed in the country.
In July 1977, the army captured power in Pakistan and imposed Martial Law. Bhutto was arrested and certain criminal cases instituted against him by the military regime. He was executed on April 4, 1979.
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The People’s Party waged a relentless struggle against the military regime of Gen. Zia-ul-Haque in 1981. Gen. Zia dramatically announced the termination of Martial Law on Dec. 31, 1985, but continued to rule the country with a strong hand, till his death on August 17, 1988, in an air accident.
The mantle of leading the Pakistan People’s Party fell on the young shoulders of Ms. Benazir Bhutto, daughter of the former Prime Minister Z.A. Bhutto. Ms. Bhutto won the elections in Nov. 1988, and became the first woman Prime Minister of Pakistan.
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Ms. Bhutto was dismissed by President Ishaq Khan in August, 1990 and elections were held to the new assembly in October, 1990. Ms. Bhutto’s Pakistan People’s Party was routed at the polls.
In 1993, Ms. Bhutto formed the government with the support of its allies. President Farooq Ahmed Leghari dismissed Benazir’s government in November 1996 charging it with inefficiency, corruption and economic crisis in the country. She fled the country and lived in exile till October 2007. Her husband Asif Ali Zardari was released by the military rulers in Nov. 2004.
Ms Bhutto returned to Pakistan in Oct 2007 and was given a tumultuous welcome, which turned tragic when two suicide bombers hit her cavalcade resulting in the death of 140 persons and serious injuries to over 600 persons. She escaped unhurt. President Musharraf proclaimed emergency in Nov 2007, civil liberties were curtailed, political opponents arrested and detained.
In spite of this uncertain situation Ms Bhutto returned from Dubai in early Nov. 07 and lost no time in criticising the military dictator. Ms. Bhutto was murdered on Dec. 27, 2007 soon after she had addressed an election rally and a suicide bomber hit her entourage. Violence erupted and scores died in its aftermath.
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Her 19 year old son Bilawal has taken over the mantle of the Pakistan People’s Party. Political situation in Pakistan has become volatile; Jehadists and fundamentalists rule the country. Elections, scheduled on Jan 8, 2008 were postponed. Pakistan is facing a serious situation, with political turmoil spreading and the militants targeting security forces and spreading terror.
The Swat region has emerged as the new haven for the Islamic militants led by Maulana Fazalullah. In Nov. 2007, they held captive the Pak army rangers and occupied the Matta town.
The US is caught in a dilemma as it cannot abandon Pakistan in its war against Al Qaida and at the same time it cannot watch democracy being trampled upon. The US is thus unlikely to suspend its massive aid to Pakistan.
Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 07 thereby ended a brilliant career of Bhutto clan. Her husband, Asaf Ali Zardari, banking on the euphoria won in the elections held in 2008 and became President of Pakistan. The PPP holds considerable influence especially in Sind Province but not so much in Punjab and other provinces.
Asaf Ali Zardari has been making valiant efforts to hold onto power in spite of his shortcomings. He has to fight on a number of fronts including the Taliban, Jehadis, the Army and also the American pressure to show more results in the fight against Taliban. He has also to fight the challenge from Nawaz Sharief who continues to have pockets of influence in Punjab and NWFP.
Pakistan will decide the future course of war against terrorism because as it is commonly believed, Jehadism as phenomenon originated from Pakistan. Diplomatically, Pakistan staged a coup of sorts, when India agreed to include mention of Balochistan in the final communique signed between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Gilani in Sharmel Sheikh in June, 09.
It has come as a major propaganda boost to Pakistan. Swat has been cleared of the Talibans, but the refugee problem continues to hassle the administration. Baitullah Mehsud, the formidable Taliban leader has been killed by a US drone attack in August, 09 and it may extend some relief to the Pak-US contigent engaged in a mortal conflict with Taliban in the region.
Amnesty granted earlier to the Pakistani politicians has been withdrawn by the Supreme court cases of corruption against Gilani, The House Minister and others are likely to be respond.