Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
Less than a month prior to the general elections, Gallup Pakistan’s survey has shown a significant rise in the popularity of the former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif and his political party, the Pakistan Muslim League-N, particularly in Punjab.
According to the survey, Nawaz Sharif has emerged as the most popular leader in Punjab, whereas, he is fast catching up with his arch-rival former Prime Minister Imran Khan at the national level as the latter’s graph is constantly on the decline.
The survey conducted in the ideal sample size i.e. 5,000 people has also shown the political mood of the masses reflecting the PML-N is gaining its lost ground, especially in Punjab.
People were also asked about their favourite personalities. It may be mentioned here that it was not one survey rather conducted during four different periods in 2023, the latest was conducted in December 2023.
One survey was conducted in June and another in December last year. The mood swing in this span shows Nawaz Sharif making advances since his return to Pakistan, it further said.
At the national level, Nawaz Sharif has gone up from 36pc popularity (in June 2023) to 52pc (in December 2023). Imran Khan in the corresponding period has gone down from 60pc to 57pc which suggests that public mood is swinging towards the former keeping in view the perception that he will be able to form the next government, whereas, the latter stands no chance in the near future. So going by the above, it appears that though Imran is still the most popular leader at the national level, it is on decline whereas Nawaz heads upward in terms of approval rate.
After Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, the third most popular leader in Punjab is Jamaat-e-Islami’s emir, Sirajul Haq (36pc). Bilawal Bhutto follows him with 34pc popularity. Saad Rizvi of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan grabbed 5th slot by scoring 31pc approval. Maulana Fazlur Rehman stands at 27pc popularity and Jahangir Tareen is at 21pc popularity graph.
