Most Pakistanis favour PM’s resignation, reveals survey

59% respondents say would accept Shehbaz as PM Nawaz’s replacement

A majority of Pakistanis believe Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should resign from his post and stay away from politics in wake of a damning investigation report submitted in the Supreme Court by a high-powered inquiry panel, tasked to probe the ruling family’s alleged corruption, reveals a recent survey.

The public opinion poll conducted by Gallup Pakistan, a leading research institution in the country, asked people whether they think the premier should file a case against the six-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and its findings in the Panamagate case or accept the report and stay away from politics.

“If you were to advise PM Nawaz and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) what would you advise?” it questioned.

51% favour PM resigning from politics; while 49% favour resisting by contesting a case against the JIT decision https://t.co/a3RwkteQPq

— Gallup Pakistan (@GallupPak) July 25, 2017

According to the survey, 51 per cent people favoured the prime minister’s resigning from politics whereas 49 per cent said they would support his decision to contest a case against the probe body.

“51% favour the PM resigning from politics; while 49% favour resisting by contesting a case against the JIT decision,” it read.

In response to another significant question posed to the participants of the survey, 59 per cent people expressed their willingness to accept Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif (PM’s brother) as a replacement of the prime minister.

“59% across various vote banks (those intending to vote for PML-N or any other party) say that if PML-N were to nominate him, they will accept Shehbaz Sharif as a replacement of Nawaz; 41% say they will oppose.”

59% across various vote banks say that if PML-N were to nominate SS, they will accept SS as a replacement of NS; 41% say they will oppose

— Gallup Pakistan (@GallupPak) July 25, 2017