In a recent survey by Gallup Pakistan, Imran Khan, the “former Prime Minister and Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI),” came out on top as the most popular leader in the country. Despite facing imprisonment and a concerted effort by his opponents to dismantle his party, the PTI, Imran Khan maintains a remarkable 60 percent approval rating.
This data comes from a recent Gallup Pakistan survey conducted in June 2023, where Khan’s approval surpasses his main opponents by a margin of 24 points or more. It highlighting his enduring popularity among the Pakistani public.
Despite facing an “assassination attempt on November 3, 2022,” and subsequent efforts to curtail his influence, Imran Khan’s popularity has only increased. The economic challenges, particularly inflation, have impacted the general public, further enhancing Khan’s image as a leader who resonates with the grievances of the people.
Imran Khan’s relationship with the establishment soured in early 2022, culminating in an attempt by the army chief to back his removal from power through a vote of no confidence. Rather than yielding, Khan harnessed public grievances against corruption, poor governance, and external interference to bolster his narrative. Despite facing adversity, his popularity continued to rise, resonating with a public grappling with inflation and discontent with political rivals.
Imran Khan survived an assassination attempt on November 3, 2022, and his subsequent arrest on May 9, 2023, by Ranger from the Islamabad High Court led to violent protests and the destruction of military property. Imran Khan faced another arrest on August 5 in connection with the Tosha Khana case, and despite getting bail, he remains jailed.
Ongoing trials within the confines of the prison persist, with Khan notably absent from any court appearances for over 100 days. During this period, there have been no released photographs or videos showcasing his public appearance in court.
Imran Khan has been subjected to 200 FIRs, but no one could prove he did anything wrong because all the cases are fake. People believe these cases are just a way to unfairly target him and keep him away from politics in Pakistan.
Despite these challenges, Imran Khan’s PTI remains a formidable force in Pakistani politics. The Gallup Pakistan survey shows that 42 percent of respondents would vote for PTI if general elections were held next week. This is a significant lead, with PTI outpacing the next party, the “Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N),” by 22 points.
The influence of PTI extends across Pakistan, leading in all four provinces. Notably, the party dominates in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, defying historical trends of anti-incumbency. With dissatisfaction high nationwide, driven by economic troubles, and a staggering 89 percent identifying inflation as a serious problem, PTI’s focus on these issues resonates with the public.
The survey indicates a notable shift in public approval in Sindh, traditionally a stronghold of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). PTI now stands on equal footing with the PPP in the province. However, Sindh faces challenges, including corruption and misgovernance, hindering recovery from last year’s disastrous floods. The PPP’s top officials, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Asif Ali Zardari, notably do not appear in the list of popular politicians, indicating low approval ratings
In conclusion, the Gallup survey tells us that Imran Khan is the most popular leader in Pakistan, and it also gives us an idea of how people feel about other important political figures in the country.
