File photo of Nawaz Sharif addressing a rally in Hala. PHOTO: SHAHID ALI / EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD: Despite stirring a political storm in the country, the rise of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has not been able to dislodge Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) from its front runner position in the numerically important Punjab province.
According to a survey conducted by Gallup Pakistan and PILDAT the PML-N tops the list on voting intention score in Punjab, followed by the PTI and the PPP respectively. The February 2013 political forecast is based on a nationwide poll of approximately 9660 voters in 300 villages and urban localities.
The voting intention score of PML-N stands at 63% in North and Central Punjab, 69% in Western Punjab and 49% in Southern Punjab, shows the survey. According to the consolidated findings of two nationwide polls on voting intentions, conducted by IRI and Gallup Pakistan respectively during past three months, the front runner in Pakistan’s elections scheduled in mid 2013 is the PML-N.
The PTI, however, is making deep inroads in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa where it has surpassed every other player by a 30 percent score.
COMMENTS (64)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
I am very impressed by CM Punjab hard-work in 5 years and particularly last year which has lifted PML-N new popularity. Ptian can use burnol but i dont think IK can digest such surveys. SO, there are two outcomes; 10 seats or boycott... It is pity to hear from potians that PLM-N is leading surveys because of laptops and metro bus etc such idiots are inferring that Pakistani people are bribe-able. Potian can take laptop and journey on motorway and metro but can abuse at length with profs. CM Punjab open these projects to transparency international and welcomed investigation by NAB. Transparency asked Imran Khan, Kaira, and Shujaat for proofs but potian and other are silent now. What happen people wake-up we should stand out and appreciate for good happening around us like IK inaugurated hospital in Peshawar.
IK is and will always be remembered as Cricketer ,a pace bowler and a sportsman!!!!!
Politics and running a country is not a joke its a serious affair and requires basic training from childhood,
I request IK to consider resigning from politics as he is incapable to run our country
The same survey shows a rise in PPP popularity, looking at their past performance, I have reasons to believe in any survey that shows a surge in popularity of PPP
So what kind of survey was this in which my vote wasnt casted , or my friends , family anyone? i disagree! In the end of the day its our vote which is going to count not people selected by you on purpose to make PMLN win!
All independent surveys (IRI, Gallup, Economist) have come in favour of PML(N). Its very good. All my best wishes for Nawaz Sharif. There should be no doubt that educated youth will vote for PML(N).
Me and all my class fellows will vote for Nawaz Sharif. All youth is with PML(N).
Its great. Its because of good performance of Shehbaz Sharif in Punjab as compared to other provinces.
This shows Pakistanis don't learn anything. Back to square one
@roadkashehzada: how about looting over $400million during his first 2 tenures are prime minister as well as the links to him and both LeJ and osama bin laden? if you dont believe me, go on youtube and search ' i knew bin laden part 1' and watch this al jazeera documentary. the truth will set you free
Nawaz Sharif is the only hope. Allah bless him. Aameen.
@Riz:
PityForPti that it has to now bank upon some lousy concert on 23rd March to see its fading stars shine once again. BTW, which performers have y'all lined up for that meritorious day?what do u think about their Survey about US Election. Where their finding was that Mitt Romney will win instead of Obama@Khan:
Wait for 23rd March. Al the surveys will start skewing towards #TheChange #PTI
PML-N is the only hope for Pakistan! My vote for PML-N.
i will vote for our future PM imran khan.
@SAL:
Rest assured friend that after the elections, both IK and Musharraf would be heading back to London. One would thump the tablas from where he left off and the other one would resign on a rocking chair and see his sons and daughter growing up at Kiddington Hall, Oxfordshire.
Enough of ppp & pml-n. It is time to vote for PTI. Long live Imran and long live Musharraf.
Full speed ahead Imran, we are all with you!
Gallup and IRI are considered credible survey agencies internationally but unfortunately in pakistan their reputation is at stake as they are headed by people who have conflict of interest. But we need to Waite for the coming IRI survey, the agency with relatively impartial surveys.
Alhamdo Lillah. Allah bless PML(N).
Do not get impress with gimmick,just go for change,new party or the educated face.
@A Peshawary: No i m not agreed with your opinion, a large number of people dont know the web site r do not read the read the coloums thats why ur opinion cannot be recomanede, u will c INSHALLAH in upcming ellection that PMLN will obtain not even 2/3 majorty but will succeede in all over the country, JAY NAWAZ SHRIEF JAY PMLN
No need to worry just vote for PTI. United we stand divide we fall.
Shame on the people who still vote them while these politicians protect extremists who are destroying our country.
If EC results are reflection, Canada and Australia, here come the remaining docs and engineers from Pak. Nothing will be left here if IK doesn't come into power.
PTI is the only hope for Pakistan. All my family and friends in Lahore will vote for PTI. Sick of all these corrupt rulers. Change will come.
@hassan: agree
I will vote for PTI. In any case
Burnol for some people!
i hope this survey proved to be wrong by ppl of Pakistan.
@wasim ahmed:
Brother man, Maturity and PTI supporters is an oxymoron.
Just out of sheer inquisitiveness, PTI maligned the last IRI survey on grounds that PML-N was a client of IFOR; IRI's local partner in Pakistan. Mighty I ask the excuse and reason being churned up by the Inquilabi paid propaganda machinery this time around?
when surveys were in PTI favour they were all good and authuntic... now every thing is fake.... Come on people please grow up.. and show some maturity.... thing logically not emotinally...
don,t ignore these surveys its time to war against family politics please change your friends and area people minds talk to them convince its your volunteer duty its out duty to bring change lets fight this war by education.
My PTI friends need to cool down and advise IK to review his plans. This nation does not need xyz policy reveals, don't waste your energies. NS is doing much better job at the moment to form next govt. IK could have held party elections after forming the govt, he could have allied with politicians. By hook or by crook, just try to form the govt and then you can do whatever reforms you like.
cool down my friends if these survey are not correct than why PTI was in favor of these surveys two year back..... so don't be hypocrite
@Muhammad: These comments are recommended by 89 people wheres as 2/3 majority of PML(N) is recommended by 36; Is it not the opinion/verdict of the people and considered as component of surveys on the election? However, the creditability of the surveys will finally be determined by the election results.
A Peshawary
Shame on people who go back to these old parties, YOU are the reason we are in mess and you are being fooled AGAIN.
doesn't matter.. i will vote for PTI
@Majid Urrehman: Yes & 100% destruction for pakistan
yes PML N will win next elections as CN Punjab has worked hard. on other hand IK is losing popularity due to his non serious attitude.
@Muhammad: how he failed us? by deregulating economy? by privatizing banks? by constructing motorway, airports, sea ports? by efficiently running governments? by making an invincible defense? remember NS was in power for less than 5 yrs in total. IK has no allegations because he never came to power but he got his fair share of allegations in mismanagement of funds for his only project. if u talk about vision, it was NS vision to have peace in afghanistan (islamabad accord) and constructing motorways and ports to tap central asian states trade. 20 yrs ago he had a vision of trade and infrastructure when imran khan was playing cricket.
I think now a days pakistan is not seeking for change but for a survival and for this we need experienced people on the top and having abilities to deal with international matters.
In my opinion NS is only leader with experience and positive attitude and he was also slamed once by US, that's why he is more cautious and knowledgable when it comes to international matters.
Internally they have shown their performance and fatten their vote bank.
Mr. Gilani; The Gallup boss is a close relative of Mian Brothers, and already known to be inclined towards them. He has to conduct such surveys to show his performance to the foreign sponsors, to entitle him for more US $ in funds.
just wait for 23rd march! #VotePTI
Who cares what the Survey results say... I Love my Country & I will Vote for PTI!
Does Not matter we are with Imran.. we will fight for Pakistan not for power
PTI supporters don't pay heed to these surveys, please show up on election day and vote for change. Inshallah we will win.
Since most of the recent surveys have been done when PTI was in political hibernation mode because of elections, I won't place too much reliance on these. Based on how public opinions have shifted at a fast pace in the last year or so, I believe there is a lot of room for ideological vote in the upcoming elections, which means that if PTI plays its cards right, it will still have a chance to win the game and with Asad Umar leading the election campaign, I am hopeful that will be the case.
PTI is going to be a force to be recon with. Like it or not. Where other parties have failed, PTI will succeed.
Support for extremist groups paying off.
We know who sponsors these surveys at these points...:D no need to worry. These guys are not gonna make it next time~!
Looks like pre-poll rigging is bringing some fruits to NS.
All establishment backed "puppets" will loose, people have enough of Imran Khan gimmicks, who is giving indirect benefit to Zardari & Altaf Cooperation..
So people haven't learnt anything? What a shame
Kingmaker? PML(N) is the King. The gap between PML(N) and PPP is so wide that PTI cannot even be a Kingmaker.
VICTORY will be for PMLN
survey was sponsored by nawaz sharif.....Let 23 march come than......
According to the same survey PPP is more popular than PTI ~ no comments ~
I hope that people of Pakistan will not vote for family parties who protect their own interests and fill their off shore bank accounts and leave country in time of crisis. Please don't elect these already tried people who are getting richer every day while general masses get poorer. Its time to get rid of these status quo parties......Its time to bring change*.
We voted for Nawas Sharif before, and he failed us! Why is Punjab voting for him again?! He has so many corruption charges and Imran has none. Imran has a vision for this country and has recently shared his policies. What is Nawas going to do for this country? What change is he going to bring and why should we trust him again?
2/3rd majority for PMLN Inshaa Allah.
We need to educate people. These survey shows Leader not want good education for public as than they cant get elected. It is big alliance against public education. It lies responsibility on us to tell them true reality