KHUJAND, December 22, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- The number of members of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has reportedly reached nearly 56,000 in the northern Sughd province.

As of December 1, 2012, the number of members of PDP’s organization in Sughd province was 55,950, according to the executive committee of PDP’s organization for Sughd.  Nearly 7,500 people have reportedly joined PDP in Sughd this year.

22,414 members of PDP’s organization for Sughd have higher education, 5,000 members – incomplete higher education, 12,833 members – special secondary education, and 15,684 members – secondary education.

26,792 members of PDP’s organization in Sughd are women and 18,000 are young people.  5,572 members of PDP’s organization for Sughd are currently outside the country seeking better employment opportunities.

Founded in 1993, the People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan is the biggest political party in Tajikistan.  Its chairman is President Emomali Rahmon.  The party controls some 70 percent of seats in the lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of the parliament.  It is the largest party, boasting more than 160,000 registered members.  The official newspaper of the party is Minbari Khalq (The People’s Tribune).