LAHORE (Web Desk) — Recent on-the-ground assessments of the political landscape indicate that while Imran Khan and the PTI remain widely popular nationwide, there are notable shifts in sentiment, particularly in the province of Punjab.
Informed sources reveal that the substantial popularity gap between PTI and PML-N in Punjab is narrowing in favor of the latter. The once significant 15% lead for PTI has dwindled to around 5% in recent months.
Nationwide, PTI maintains a considerable lead over PML-N in terms of popularity, a trend consistent with their standing since the 2018 general elections. However, the dynamics are different in Punjab, where PML-N has made strides and is now poised to offer tough competition to PTI in the upcoming general elections in the province.
According to the latest surveys, PTI’s current nationwide popularity surpasses its standing in 2018, while PML-N’s popularity lags behind its 2018 levels. Notably, PML-N’s fortunes in Punjab, its traditional stronghold, have improved in the months following Nawaz Sharif’s return from self-imposed exile in April 2022.
The next five weeks leading up to the February 8 general elections are deemed crucial for both political parties and voters. As the election campaigns intensify, it is anticipated that voter preferences will continue to evolve. The relevance of surveys and assessments becomes more pronounced closer to the polling day.
A Gallup survey conducted in June-July last year indicated that 38% of respondents strongly favored PTI, 16% favored PML-N, 10% favored PPP, 15% favored TLP, 9% favored JI, and 6% favored MQMP.
In terms of politicians, the positive approval ratings from the same survey highlighted Imran Khan as the most approved figure at 60%, followed by Saad Rizvi and Pervaiz Elahi at 38% each. Other notable figures included Shah Mehmood Qureshi (37%), Nawaz Sharif (36%), Shehbaz Sharif (35%), Maryam Nawaz (30%), Shahid Khaqan Abbasi (28%), among others.
In Punjab, Imran Khan held a positive approval rating of 58%, Saad Rizvi and Pervaiz Elahi at 49% each, Shah Mehmood Qureshi at 43%, Shehbaz Sharif at 43%, Nawaz Sharif at 41%, Maryam Nawaz at 37%, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at 33%, with Bilawal Bhutto’s rating not included in the survey.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, these dynamics are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the upcoming elections.
Source: The News
