Pakistan People's Party

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is a political party in Pakistan and one of the three major Pakistani political parties alongside the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. With a centre-left political position, it is currently the largest party in the federal Senate, and second-largest in the National Assembly; and is in government in Sindh and Balochistan. The party was founded in 1967 in Lahore, when a number of prominent left-wing politicians in the country joined hands against the rule of Ayub Khan, under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. It is affiliated with the Socialist International. The PPP's platform was formerly socialist, and its stated priorities continue to include transforming Pakistan into a social-democratic state, promoting egalitarian values, establishing social justice, and maintaining a strong military.

The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) is a dynastic political party led by Asif Ali Zardari, who serves as the President of Pakistan. The party is chaired by his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while his daughter, Asifa Bhutto Zardari, also holds a position as a Member of the National Assembly (MNA).

Since its foundation in 1967, it has been a major centre-left force in the country and the party's leadership has been dominated by the members of the Bhutto family. Its centre of power lies in the southern province of Sindh. The Peoples Party has been voted into power on five separate occasions (1970, 1977, 1988, 1993 and 2008), while on four occasions (1990, 1997, 2002 and 2013) it emerged as the largest opposition party. There have been a total of four prime ministers from the PPP. In 2018 general election and 2024 general election, PPP stood at 3rd position in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

The PPP dominated the politics of Pakistan during the 1970s, suffering a temporary decline during the military dictatorship of Gen. Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. After the re-establishment of democracy in 1988 following Zia's death, a two-party system developed, consisting of the Peoples Party and the Islamic Democratic Alliance, later succeeded by the Nawaz League. The party served as the principal opposition to the Gen. Pervez Musharraf-led military government from 1999 to 2008.

The party conceded defeat during the 2013 general election, losing swathes of support in the Punjab Province where most of its base was lost to the emerging PTI, although it retained its provincial government in Sindh. In the 2018 general election, for the first time in history, the party was able to neither form the government nor emerge as the largest party in opposition. The above said electoral position remained the same in 2024 general election.