Recent on-ground evaluations of various political leaders and parties reveal that Imran Khan and PTI maintain their nationwide popularity, but there are notable changes in the political landscape, particularly in Punjab.
Insiders suggest that the significant popularity margin PTI once held over PMLN in Punjab has narrowed. A few months ago, the PTI enjoyed a 15% lead in popularity, which has now decreased to around 5% in the province.
Nationwide, PTI remains considerably more popular than PMLN, compared to the 2018 general elections. However, in Punjab, PMLN has made strides in popularity, posing a formidable challenge to PTI in the upcoming general elections in the province.
Sources, citing the latest survey, note that PTI’s current nationwide popularity surpasses its 2018 levels, while PMLN’s popularity has dipped since then. The return of Nawaz Sharif from self-exile appears to have contributed to the PML-N’s improved standing in Punjab.
The next five weeks leading up to the Feb 8 general elections are deemed crucial for both political parties and voters. As election campaigns intensify, the prevailing voter trends are expected to evolve. Surveys and assessments closer to the polling day are considered more relevant for predicting election outcomes.
A Gallup survey conducted in June-July last year revealed that 38% of respondents strongly favored PTI, 16% PMLN, 10% PPP, 15% TLP, 9% JI, and 6% MQMP.
Regarding politicians, last year’s survey showed Imran Khan with the highest positive approval rating at 60%, followed by Saad Rizvi and Pervaiz Elahi at 38% each, Shah Mehmood Qureshi at 37%, Nawaz Sharif at 36%, Shehbaz Sharif at 35%, Maryam Nawaz at 30%, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at 28%, among others.
In Punjab, the positive approval rating of Imran Khan was 58%, Saad Rizvi 49%, Pervaiz Elahi 49%, Shah Mehmood Qureshi 43%, Shehbaz Sharif 43%, Nawaz Sharif 41%, Maryam Nawaz 37%, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi 33%, and others. Bilawal Bhutto was not assessed in the survey.
Originally Published on The News
