ISLAMABAD – A combined 57 percent of respondents, in a new nationwide pollof Pakistanis by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center forInsights in Survey Research believe that Prime Minister Imran Khan is doinga “very good job” while 56 percent have given an approval to the governmentpolicies.
The survey results announced on March 14 reveal strong approval ratings forthe new government and repose confidence in the July 2018 elections.According to the survey, the respondents expressed their concern over thestate of the economy, but at the same time 17 per cent said Prime MinisterImran Khan was doing a “good job” while 40 percent agreed with his policies.“Poor economic conditions are a significant source of concern forPakistanis,” said Johanna Kao, IRI Regional Director for Asia. “DespitePakistan’s economic challenges, confidence in the new government and theprime minister is high.
Pakistanis seem to be willing to give the government time to deliver on itscampaign promises, which will require difficult economic reforms torevitalize the country’s struggling economy.”
A plurality of respondents; 40 percent said they were willing to give thegovernment one year; 26 percent said two years, and 14 percent said he (theprime minister) had started delivering on his campaign promises.
“The survey suggests that the government’s performance will be judgedprimarily on its ability to address pressing economic concerns,” saidJohanna Kao. Inflation was singled out as the most important problem inPakistan by 39 percent, followed by poverty, as pointed by 18 percent andunemployment as mentioned by 15 percent.Nearly 77 percent of respondents between the ages of 18 and 35 see lack ofjobs as the biggest challenge facing young people in Pakistan.
The poll also indicates high levels of confidence in the results of theJuly 2018 national elections. A clear majority (84 percent) say that theresults are either “very accurate” (46 percent) or “somewhat accurate” (38percent).
A combined 83 percent believe that the election was either “completely freeand fair” (50 percent) or “mostly free and fair” (33 percent).According to IRI, this survey was conducted on behalf of the Center forInsights in Survey Research. Data was collected between November 1 andNovember 22, 2018 through in-home, in-person interviews.
The sample consisted of 3,991 respondents aged 18 and older, and isrepresentative of voting-age adults nationally. The margin of error was 1.6percent.