Awan has been defending the constitutional and political affairs of the party for the last two decades. A renowned politician and lawyer, he has written several books and is a respected orator.

He was made member of the Central Executive Committee of the party in 1997 by the late Benazir Bhutto.

Later, he was nominated as Coordinator of International Affairs of the Party in 1999. He held the office of Central Finance Secretary of the Party in 2000 and was awarded the ticket of National Assembly during the general elections of 2002.

He became senator in 2005 on the only PPP seat from Punjab and proved himself as an established legislator.

Awan defended several cases against Benazir Bhutto and President Zardari.

He remained counsel of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Bakhtawar Bhutto and Asifa Bhutto in the case of Peoples’ Foundation.

Senator Awan voluntarily tendered his resignation from the portfolios of Minister of Law and Justice, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Information Technology to plead the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto reference sent to the Supreme Court by President Zardari.