Maryam’s approval climbs in 100 days

55% satisfied with govt’s performance; CM more popular in urban areas

LAHORE:

The majority of the people in Punjab were satisfied with the performance of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz-led government, acknowledging her “effective” steps for reducing prices of various commodities, according to a survey released on Sunday.

The release of the data of the survey, titled, ‘Punjab Speaks—Public Perception of Performance’ conducted by the Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR), an independent research institution, marked the 100 days in office of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.

Maryam was elected the chief minister of Punjab on February 26, following the general elections held on February 8, 2024. She is the 20th chief minister of the country’s most populous province and had just completed the first 100 days in office.

According to the IPOR, Maryam Nawaz’s leadership in Punjab was highly regarded, with strong public approval of her performance and initiatives. Besides, there was significant support for her efforts for reducing commodity prices, particularly the projects like the bread price reduction.

“An overall majority of 55% of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Punjab government, in the urban-rural split,” the survey said, adding that her approval rating was higher in the urban area, 62%, compared with 48% in the rural areas.

The survey said that 53% of respondents believed that the government’s steps had been effective in reducing prices of various commodities. “A decrease in the price of Roti was the most-favoured project, with 44% of respondents considering it the best initiative,” it said.

Other projects follow in the list of her most popular initiatives included the Solar Panel Programme, 11%, and the 200 Clinic on Wheels initiative, 11%. The survey revealed that 60% respondents believed that Maryam Nawaz’s popularity had increased over the last three months.

Among the dissatisfaction side, according to the IPOR, the level was higher in the rural areas, 42%, compared with 28% in the urban areas. It added that 35% were not satisfied with the three-month performance of chief minister.

Out of that 35%, the survey said, 51% believed that the government would never be able to improve the situation, regardless of the time given. On the other hand, 19% of the respondents were willing to give the government as much time as needed to improve the situation.

The IPOR survey was conducted from May 29 to June 12, 2024. The sample size was 2,010 – 65% of them males and 35% females. Age-wise, 43% were between the age of 18 and 35 years, 48% between 36 and 50 years, and 9% above 51 years old.

Geographically, 60% of the respondents were from rural areas and 40% from urban areas. Among them, the IPOR added, 16% were illiterate, 12% had completed primary education, 15% secondary education, 28% matriculation, 14% intermediate, 10% graduates, and 5% had a master’s degree.

The IPOR said that the response rate was approximately 45% with a margin of error of not more than ±3-4% at 95% confidence level. “The information in this report has been compiled in accordance with international standards for market and social research methodologies,” the IPOR said.