WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: A new nationwide poll of Pakistanis by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research reveals strong approval ratings for the new government, concerns over the state of economy, and confidence in the July 2018 elections, reports the foreign media.
According to the IRI, the survey was conducted on behalf of the Center for Insights in Survey Research and its results were announced on March 14. “Poor economic conditions are a significant source of anxiety for Pakistanis,” said Johanna Kao, IRI Regional Director for Asia.
“Despite Pakistan’s economic challenges, confidence in the new government and the prime minister is high. Pakistanis seem to be willing to give the government time to deliver on its campaign promises, which will require difficult economic reforms to revitalize the country’s struggling economy.”
A combined 57 percent of respondents think that Prime Minister Imran Khan is doing either a “very good job” (17 percent) or a “good job” (40 percent) so far, and a combined 56 percent approve of the government.
A plurality of respondents (40 percent) said that they or a “good job” (40 percent) so far, and a combined 56 percent approve of the government. A plurality of respondents (40 percent) said that they were willing to give the government one year (26 percent) or two years (14 percent) to start delivering on their campaign promises.
“The survey suggests that the government’s performance will be judged primarily on its ability to address pressing economic concerns,” said Johanna Kao. Inflation was singled out as the most important problem in Pakistan (39 percent), followed by poverty (18 percent) and unemployment (15 percent).
Nearly 77 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 35 see the lack of jobs as the biggest challenge facing young people in Pakistan. The poll also indicates high levels of confidence in the results of the July 2018 national elections. A clear majority (84 percent) say that the results are either “very accurate” (46 percent) or “somewhat accurate” (38 percent). A combined 83 percent believe that the election was either “completely free and fair” (50 percent) or “mostly free and fair” (33 percent).
The data was collected between November 1 and November 22, 2018 through in-home, in-person interviews. The sample consisted of 3,991 respondents aged 18 and older, and is representative of voting-age adults nationally. The margin of error was 1.6 percent.
According to the survey, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is the most popular party with 34 percent approval rating compared with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz with 21 percent popularity and Pakistan People’s party with 12 percent.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain also tweeted about the survey and wrote: 'New Pakistan poll; strong approval for PTI, says IRI. PM Imran Khan’s approval rating is 57 percent while PML-N and PPP are not even close to PTI'.
The sample consisted of 3,991 respondents aged 18 and older and is representative of voting age adults nationality. On the question if the National Assembly elections were to be held next week, for which party the respondents would vote and the survey found that the PTI surfaced as the most popular party, followed by PML-N and PPP.
