Nawaz can draw on significant public support : Pew

By
AFP
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Nawaz can draw on significant public support : Pew
KARACHI: While thousands of protesters take to the streets behind their respective protest leaders, calling for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign the latest Pew Research Center survey suggests the third time premier can draw on significant public support.




According to the latest report 64% of the public has a favourable opinion of Nawaz Sharif which is a negligible 2% drop from 66% last year just before the elections. The report states that less than one-third of Pakistanis have an unfavourable opinion of Nawaz Sharif.

Imran Khan

Cricketer turned politician Imran Khan, who is leading one of the marches against Nawaz Sharif and holds the premier responsible for rigging last years general elections, also enjoys favourable public opinion albeit with a mere 3% from the border line. According to the report 53% Pakistanis hold a favourable opinion of Imran Khan, down from 60% last year, while less than a quarter (24%) hold an unfavourable opinion of Khan.

Military

The report states that Pakistan’s military, which has always been a key player in the country’s politics enjoys ‘stunningly’ high ratings. The report states 87% of Pakistanis hold a favourable opinion of the military, up from 79% last year.

Right Direction, Wrong Direction

Only 8% of Pakistanis felt the country was headed in the right direction in 2013, this number has climbed up to 25% according to the latest report. Those who feel the economy is in ‘good shape’ has doubled according to the report climbing up from 17% last year to 37% this year, while 36% feel the economy will improve in the next 12 months.

Note: Pew Research Center report is based on face-to-face interviews conducted with 1,203 respondents from April 15 to May 7, 2014.