CHAKWAL, Nov 30: The rift in Pakistan People's Party (PPP) here is deepening as the leaders and workers arranged two separate functions to mark the party's 44rd foundation day on Tuesday.

Led by Shah Jahan Sarfraz Raja, PPP's district president, and MPA Fauzia Behram, the party in Chakwal has been split into two factions.

The main function to celebrate the party's foundation day at the press club was attended by Minister of State for Defence Production Sardar Salim Haider and other leaders. Addressing the workers, Mr Haider said PPP always came into power when the country was in trouble, adding that huge challenges greeted Zulifqar Ali Bhutto when he got power in 1971. “In 2008 the country was caught in poverty, terrorism and economic turmoil,” he said, adding that the party faced these challenges and brought about stability.

Hoping that the local bodies' elections would be held next year, he said the PPP was consulting with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in this regard. But he also lashed out at the Punjab government for trying to “harm PPP's workers in every possible manner”.

Speaking on the occasion, Shah Jahan Sarfraz Raja, PPP's district president, claimed that action would be taken against those who did not participate in the party's founding day ceremony. “A letter would be sent to party's high command for strict action again those who are harming the party in Chakwal,” he said.

On the other hand, MPA Fauzia Behram arranged a function at her residence, which was attended by Sardar Mansoor Hayat Tamman, Jilani Akhtar and others. Talking with Dawn , the MPA said Benazir Bhutto had made Jilani Akhtar PPP's district president in Chakwal and nobody had removed him yet. She said the party would be re-organised in Chakwal soon.