The Political Era of Pakistan Peoples Party (2008–2013): Challenges, Reforms, and Legacy

The Political Era of Pakistan People's Party (2008–2013)

Background: The foundation of the Pakistan People's Party's (PPP) 2008–2013 rule was laid when former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan in 2007 after signing the NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) with General Pervez Musharraf. She launched her election campaign but was tragically assassinated in Rawalpindi on December 27, 2007, leading to nationwide unrest and immense sympathy for PPP.

Benazir's death created a leadership vacuum, leaving the PPP weakened outside of Sindh. Nonetheless, her martyrdom led to a wave of sympathy votes, helping PPP secure 89 National Assembly seats in the February 2008 general elections. PML-N won 69, PML-Q got 49, MQM 17, and ANP 10 seats.

Following the elections, PPP formed a coalition government with PML-N and other parties. On March 24, 2008, Yousaf Raza Gillani was elected Prime Minister with a two-thirds majority. However, PML-N exited the coalition in August 2008 over disagreements related to the restoration of judges and Asif Ali Zardari's unilateral presidential nomination.

Presidency of Asif Ali Zardari

After Musharraf's resignation, Asif Ali Zardari was elected President on September 9, 2008. His presidency saw turbulent civil-military relations, economic challenges, and major constitutional reforms.

Major Events During PPP Government (2008–2013)

  • Swat Military Operation (2009): Launched against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Swat and South Waziristan to counter growing terrorism.
  • Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan Package (Nov 2009): Aimed to address Baloch grievances through developmental and political reforms.
  • NFC Award (Dec 2009): The 7th National Finance Commission Award increased provinces' share from 47.5% to 57.5% and redistributed it: Punjab 51.74%, Sindh 24.55%, KP 14.62%, Balochistan 9.09%.
  • Protection Against Harassment Act (March 2010): Legislation to protect working women from workplace harassment.

    • Judiciary Restorati

    18th Constitutional Amendment (2010)

    The 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, passed on April 8, 2010, was one of the most significant political reforms since the 1973 Constitution. It was passed unanimously by the National Assembly under the PPP-led coalition government and signed by President Asif Ali Zardari, marking a milestone in the restoration of parliamentary supremacy and provincial autonomy.

    This amendment removed the sweeping powers of the President that were added during military regimes, especially under Article 58(2)(b), which allowed the President to dissolve the National Assembly at will. With the repeal of this article, the Prime Minister and Parliament were constitutionally empowered, marking a return to a full parliamentary system.

    Key Highlights of the 18th Amendment:

    • Restoration of Parliamentary Supremacy: Article 58(2)(b) was abolished, taking away the President’s power to dismiss the Prime Minister and National Assembly unilaterally.
    • Provincial Autonomy: Over 47 federal ministries were devolved to the provinces, including education, health, environment, and culture. This strengthened the federal structure and empowered provincial governments.
    • NFC Award Implementation: The amendment constitutionally protected the 7th NFC Award, ensuring fair distribution of national resources among provinces based on multiple criteria such as population, poverty, revenue generation, and inverse population density.
    • Judicial Reforms: Strengthened the process for judicial appointments through the formation of a Judicial Commission and a Parliamentary Committee, promoting transparency and meritocracy.
    • Renaming of NWFP: The North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) was officially renamed as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reflecting the identity and linguistic majority of the region.
    • Fundamental Rights Strengthened: Article 10-A was added, ensuring the right to a fair trial as a constitutional right for all citizens.

    Overall, the 18th Amendment is often referred to as a “mini-constitution” due to its sweeping changes across over 100 articles of the 1973 Constitution. It redefined the balance of power between the federation and the provinces, strengthened democracy, and reversed many authoritarian laws enacted under military rule.

    on Movement (2007–2009)

    The Judiciary Restoration Movement was one of the most critical democratic struggles in Pakistan’s recent history. It began in 2007 when then-President General Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule and removed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and other judges who refused to take oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).

    This triggered a nationwide lawyers' movement, strongly supported by civil society, media, and opposition political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League (N) and, later, the PPP-led government after the 2008 elections. The movement demanded the reinstatement of the deposed judges and the supremacy of the constitution.

    On March 16, 2009, after immense public pressure, media coverage, and a historic Long March led by Nawaz Sharif and others, the PPP government reinstated Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and other judges.

    This movement is considered a turning point in Pakistan’s democratic evolution and significantly empowered the judiciary, ultimately leading to increased judicial activism in the years that followed.

    Governor's Rule in Balochistan (January 2013)

    In January 2013, the federal government imposed Governor’s Rule in Balochistan after a series of devastating bombings in Quetta that claimed the lives of over 100 people, mostly from the Hazara Shia community.

    The attack was widely seen as a major intelligence and governance failure by the provincial government led by Chief Minister Aslam Raisani. Thousands of protestors staged sit-ins across the country, refusing to bury their loved ones until justice was served.

    In response, on January 14, 2013, President Asif Ali Zardari signed a notification to dismiss the Balochistan government and impose direct federal rule through the Governor of the province.

    This marked a rare instance of federal intervention in a province under civilian rule, and while it was welcomed by some for restoring order, it also drew criticism for bypassing the democratic process.

  • Gilani's Disqualification (June 2012): Supreme Court disqualified PM Yousaf Raza Gillani over contempt of court for not reopening graft cases against Zardari.
  • Mumbai Attacks (2008): Following the terror attacks in Mumbai, India blamed Pakistan-based groups, worsening Indo-Pak ties.
  • Raja Pervez Ashraf's Premiership (June 2012): Appointed after Gillani’s disqualification; tried to manage foreign ties, especially with China, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
  • Gwadar Port Agreement (Feb 2013): Multibillion-dollar contract signed with China for development and operation of Gwadar Port.

Pakistan–United States Relations (2008–2013)

During the PPP government from 2008 to 2013, relations between Pakistan and the United States experienced serious fluctuations marked by both cooperation and deep mistrust.

  • Raymond Davis Incident (2011): A CIA contractor Raymond Davis killed two Pakistanis in Lahore, sparking public outrage. His release after 'blood money' arrangements strained diplomatic ties.
  • Abbottabad Operation (May 2, 2011): U.S. Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in a covert raid inside Abbottabad without informing Pakistan, severely damaging trust.
  • Salala Incident (Nov 2011): NATO forces mistakenly attacked Pakistani border posts, killing 25 soldiers. Pakistan responded by blocking NATO supply routes to Afghanistan for months.
  • Kerry-Lugar Bill (2009): The U.S. Congress passed the $7.5 billion Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act aimed at providing non-military aid to Pakistan. Though intended for civilian support, it was criticized within Pakistan for perceived U.S. interference.

These incidents led to severe backlash from the Pakistani public and military, and while diplomatic ties remained intact, the trust deficit between both countries widened significantly during this period.

Economic Challenges

The PPP government struggled with inflation, corruption allegations, power shortages, and slow GDP growth. Between 2011–12, real GDP growth was estimated at just 3.7%, and by June 2013, Pakistan’s public debt had risen to Rs. 12,667 billion. Foreign direct investment had significantly declined.

Legacy and Conclusion

Despite the criticism, the PPP became the first civilian government in Pakistan’s history to complete its full 5-year term. Their tenure included landmark reforms like the 18th Amendment and NFC Award, along with increased provincial autonomy and significant foreign and internal policy decisions.

Read about the Musharraf Era (1999–2008)

Read about Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s Era

What are your thoughts on the PPP era (2008–2013)? Share your views in the comments below — was it a time of democratic progress or political instability?

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