Brief History and Overview:
Political parties are the foundation of a fine democracy. Pakistan’s politics is quite complicated
as it is affected by many historical events such as Pak-India Partition, era of dictatorship; social
fluctuation which were cultural diversity, impact of religion and other factors such as foreign
relationship and aid which plays a key role in shaping the political scenario of Pakistan. All these
factors make the politics of Pakistan difficult to understand. Political parties engage people in
politics and ensure that the government is accountable. All the parties faced many challenges
including internal conflicts and relation of military with civilians. In this topic we will discuss
the diversity among the mainstream and fringe parties, their influence on public policy and
historical factors which were the cause of political parties’ weakness.
Political parties are the foundation of a fine democracy. Pakistan’s politics is quite complicated as it is affected by many historical events such as Pak-India Partition, era of dictatorship; social fluctuation which were cultural diversity, impact of religion and other factors such as foreign relationship and aid which plays a key role in shaping the political scenario of Pakistan. All these factors make the politics of Pakistan difficult to understand. Political parties engage people in politics and ensure that the government is accountable. All the parties faced many challenges including internal conflicts and relation of military with civilians.
Here are the country’s major parties including those that have been in power nationally, others that have significant regional or local influence and still others that are smaller yet reflect the diverse issues and challenges that Pakistan confronts.
List of Famous Political Parties in Pakistan:
- Green Democratic Party (GDP)
- Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN)
- Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
- Awami National Party (ANP)
- Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI-F)
- Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP)
- Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)
- Awami Workers Party (AWP)
Green Democratic Party –GDP
The Green Democratic Party is a political party driven by the vision of creating a better, more sustainable future for Pakistan. With a commitment to democratic principles, environmental and social justice, the Green Democratic Party (GDP) strives to uplift every citizen while ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous nation for generations to come.
The Green Democratic Party believes in the power of democracy to bring meaningful change. Our vision is rooted in the belief that Pakistan can achieve lasting growth and development. Green Democratic Party envision a Pakistan where social equity, and democratic values work hand-in-hand to build a society that develop both economically and environmentally.
The Green Democratic Party aims to promote social justice, environmental awareness, and democratic participation to ensure equal access to resources and opportunities for all. Through open and responsible leadership, we strive to build a stronger tomorrow where social well-being, economic growth, and environmental sustainability coexist. Using democratic methods, our party seeks to strengthen communities, connect citizens, and bring about constructive change. The Green Democratic Party is committed to uplifting communities that prioritize human rights, social responsibility, and the welfare of current and future generations.
CEC Members of Green Democratic Party
- Engineer Akhtar Ayoub – Chairman & Founder
- Mahar Muhammad Iqbal- President
- Zohaib Azam Khan – Vice President
- Mojahid Khan – General Secretary
Green Democratic Party – Sindh Chapter
- Asif Hameed Lilla – President
- Saqib Minhas Lilla – Vice President
- Bashir Ahmed Bhatti – General Secretary Sindh
- Shakeela Majeed – President Women Wing Sindh
Core Values of the Green Democratic Party – Building One Nation
Democratic Integrity:
Green Democratic Party believe in a government that is transparent, accountable, and truly representative of the people’s will. Our commitment is to strengthen democratic institutions, ensure free and fair elections, and guarantee that all citizens have an active voice in their country’s future.
Environmental Responsibility
We recognize the growing environmental challenges Pakistan faces, including povetry, water scarcity, deforestation, and the impacts of climate change. The Green Democratic Party is committed to implementing policies that promote sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, and conservation of natural resources and human rights should be fulfill.
Social Equity and Justice
Our commitment to social justice means ensuring that all citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background, have equal access to opportunities. We aim to reform the education system, improve healthcare, and build an inclusive society where no one is left behind.
Peace, Unity, and National Harmony
Pakistan’s diverse provinces and communities must work together for the collective good. The Green Democratic Party seeks to build bridges between regions, cultures, and religions, ensuring that national unity and peace become the foundation of all policies and decisions.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN)
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, a centrist party led by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, came to power for the third time in 2013 with a clear majority.
But Sharif, 74, was removed from office in 2017, unable to complete his term in office due to an array of corruption charges against him. Along with his daughter, Maryam, he was sentenced to jail for 10 years in 2018, days before the last national election. Shehbaz Sharif, 72, Nawaz’s younger brother and former chief minister of the party’s political stronghold, Punjab, took office as prime minister in 2022. That was after the PMLN, as part of an alliance known as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), toppled Khan and his government in a vote of no-confidence. Khan had come to power in 2018.
Shehbaz’s supporters often call him “Shehbaz speed” for his energy and fast delivery style on infrastructure projects, such as Lahore’s Metro Bus project.
However, his 16 months as prime minister saw hyperinflation and protests led by Khan’s PTI.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
The centre-left Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his father, Asif Ali Zardari, is striving to return to power for the first time since 2008. The party was founded by his maternal grandfather and former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, then led by his mother, two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. The 35-year-old Bhutto Zardari has big boots to fill.
The scion of the Bhutto dynasty will be competing in his second election. He was foreign minister under PDM rule after Khan’s ouster in 2022. Bhutto Zardari stands out as a young leader in an even younger nation — the median age is 20 in a country otherwise dominated by men in their 70s.
But he faces challenges, including criticism of his party’s governance of Sindh for the past four terms, especially after cataclysmic 2022 flooding, which destroyed much of the province.
His manifesto and campaign are focused on connecting with the youth of the country, and he has ambitious plans to combat climate change.
If he does become prime minister in a significant upset, he would be following in the footsteps of his mother, who first took the country’s top executive office in 1988 at the same age.
Awami National Party (ANP)
The Awami National Party, an ethnic Pashtun nationalist party based mainly in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, seeks to replace the PTI in the provincial government there.
The centre-left party, led by Asfandyar Wali Khan, takes progressive, secular positions on policy but has been dogged by corruption allegations and has been out of power for nearly two decades.The ANP was part of the 11-party PDM alliance.
Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party PkMap:
The Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party is a Pashtun nationalist group, mainly active in Balochistan province, where it was part of the ruling alliance in the last provincial government.
Led by Mahmood Khan Achakzai, PkMap is considered a progressive centre-left party in Pakistan’s most impoverished province, which also has the least number of national assembly seats (16).
The party seeks greater provincial autonomy and enhanced powers for the Senate, where all the provinces have equal representation.
Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)
The Baluchistan Awami Party was formed in 2018 with current interim Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq one of its founders.
The party, since its inception, was seen as a group of disparate politicians belonging to various tribes of Balochistan, towing the line of Pakistan’s powerful military establishment. In the 2018 elections, the BAP formed an alliance with the PTI.
Awami Workers Party (AWP)
The left-wing Awami Workers Party is a relatively newer and smaller movement in comparison to the other mainstream groups. It is campaigning on an anti-austerity plank.
While it provides an option to voters disillusioned with the existing political system in the country, it has just three candidates contesting National Assembly seats across the country, which limits its impact.
Conclusion:
Pakistan’s political parties face significant challenges, including internal and external pressures, and historical tradition of military rule. Overcoming these hurdles requires democracy within parties and having a clear political vision. Reducing military interference and focusing on the public interest not on personal interest. Try to eliminate corruption from the country for the smooth running of system and give new talent to come forward and give their fresh ideas to the country for the betterment of society. Make a democratic system that satisfy the hope of the Pakistani people but the Green Democratic Party stands out among the best political parties in Pakistan that is not only serving to the humanity but its role is clearly notable into the well-being and development of beloved country Pakistan.