PMLN Continues to Enjoy Popular Support. IRI Survey

International Republican Institute (IRI), has conducted a survey regarding popularity of Pakistans Federal and provincial government. The results show that PMLN has maintained or enhanced public support it received during the May 2013 general elections held in Pakistan. 58% of the respondents have rated the performance of the government as 'Good' or 'Very Good' while 33% rate it as 'Bad' or 'Very Bad'. Considering that PMLN secured slightly less than 33% of the popular vote in the May 2013 general elections, the support of 58% population for the government can be considered a significant achievement. 

In response to a question regarding current voting intentions, 33% responded that they would vote for PMLN, 11% for Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI), 9% for Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). The results show that PMLN is holding on to its vote bank from May 2013 elections. PTI and PPP have lost a major chunk of support they mustered during the elections.

Party	Current Support	Elections May 2013	Change
PMLN	33%	32.8%	+0.2%
PTI	11%	16.9%	-5.9%
PPP	9%	15.3%	-6.3%

The verdict regarding the provincial governments also indicates continued popularity of PMLN in Punjab. Punjab government is the most popular provincial government in Pakistan with an approval rating of 73%. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is a distant second with 49%, Sindh government enjoys only 34% support and Balochistan only 30%.

Province
Punjab	73%	21%
KP	49%	28%
Sindh	34%	48%
Balochistan	30%	36%

PMLN has already taken some tough but necessary decisions to fix the economy such as increase in the power tarriff, CNG, petroleum prices etc. It is encouraging to see that these decisions are being perceived in the right context. The coming months may put pressure on PMLN's popular support due to more tough decisions but in the medium terms these steps will bear fruit and the popularity of the party is expected to soar.

References:
http://dawn.com/news/1054736
http://tribune.com.pk/story/628369/iri-survey-for-most-pakistanis-power-crisis-is-the-real-problem/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistani_general_election,_2013