Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi: Gallup Pakistan has released a report ‘Gallup Pakistan Political Weather Report – June 2022 Edition. The report was compiled by asking over 1234 Households (18+ males and females) and national cross-section, covering both urban and rural areas, large Cities (over 2 million), medium Cities (over half million) and towns (population 5000 plus). The data was collected through Random Digit Dialing. Gallup Pakistan has been doing regular polls for over 4 decades in Pakistan and has interviewed around 4 million Pakistanis in the past 40 years.
The report’s salient findings are as follows:
Section 1: Election timings
Overwhelming majority of Pakistanis (76%) favor early elections while only a quarter (24%) think the elections should be held in 2023, as per schedule. Between early April 2022 to the current wave, there has been 7% increase the proportion of Pakistanis who are in favor of early elections.
Section 2: Imran Khan’s recent long march towards Islamabad and the citizens perception and outcome
41% Pakistanis considered the recent long march by Imran Khan to Islamabad successful, while 28% of the people think the march was unsuccessful.
An overwhelming majority of Pakistanis (78%) are of the view that instead of protesting in the streets, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf should instead sit down for a discussion with political opponents to reach a settlement whereas 22% oppose to the idea of discussion and are in favor of street protests.
52% Pakistanis optimistic that the situation of the country will improve in the next 6 months; 47% remain doubtful.
Section 3: The move to oust Imran Khan’s government was due to a foreign conspiracy or rising inflation.
Public opinion split over the issue; 48% Pakistanis think Imran Khan was ousted because of his government’s inability to control inflation while 46% think the removal was because of foreign conspiracy. Between early April 2022 to mid-June 2022, the proportion of Pakistanis who believe Imran Khan was ousted because of inflation has declined by 16%, whereas there has been a 10% increase in the proportion of Pakistanis who believe this is a result of a foreign conspiracy.
Section 4: Opinion regarding the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan
61% Pakistanis showed anger towards the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan and his removal from the PM office while 39% were happy with the decision. The proportion of Pakistanis who are happy with the removal of Imran Khan has declined by 18% between early April (10-11) and the current wave.
Section 5: Views about the family member employment overseas
9% respondents claim to have family members working overseas. Of the 9% working overseas, 43% claim their family workers reside in Dubai, a third claim to be working in Saudi Arabia.
Section 6: Is there anyone unemployed in your family
6 in 10 Pakistanis claim that a family member is currently unemployed.
Section 7: Perception about the politics
An absolute majority of Pakistanis (98%) think that hatred and intolerance in the society is politically motivated and should be addressed on an urgent basis.
81% of Pakistanis claim their family members support the same political party as them.
61% of Pakistanis are against dynastic politics and believe that party workers have more right to lead the party.
More than 9 in 10 Pakistanis believe that the party they support is far better than all other political parties.
3 in 4 Pakistanis believe that the party they support is not so good, but other parties are worse
