ISLAMABAD: The Punjab chief minister’s approval ratings in terms of performance in the past three years are the highest among all Pakistani provincial chiefs, a recent survey by the Institute for Public Opinion Research has found.
The study was conducted between Dec. 22, 2021 and Jan. 9, 2022, involving 3,769 respondents in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan.
The Punjab chief minister, Usman Buzdar, was elected to the post after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party won the general elections 2018.
IPOR said: “45 percent of the Respondents from Punjab said CM Punjab Sardar Usman Ahmed Khan Buzdar (is) performing better in his province, 41 percent from KP said CM KP Mehmood Khan, 38 percent from Sindh said CM Sindh Murad Ali Shah and 32 percent from Balochistan rated Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo performance as better.”
The undated file photo shows Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. (Photo courtesy: social media)
Buzdar has been often criticized by the opposition for what they refer to as lackluster performance, while Prime Minister Imran Khan has often backed him saying he spearheads important public development projects.
The survey showed Buzdar ahead of other provincial chief ministers in terms of development, with 51 percent of respondents expressing their satisfaction. He was followed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief who scored 48 percent, Balochistan chief with 43 percent, while the chief minister of Sindh was seen as performing worst, with only 38 percent approval.
About 86 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with Punjab’s public education facilities. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, around 80 percent were in favor of the local government, in Balochistan 62 percent, and in Sindh 58 percent.
Seventy-two percent of respondents were satisfied with Punjab’s public health facilities, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 67 percent, Balochistan at 56 percent, and Sindh at 53 percent.
Punjab ranked second highest in terms of services provided by the provincial government, with 61 percent of respondents expressing satisfaction. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa topped in this category with 69 percent, while Balochistan and Sindh scored 54 percent and 50 percent respectively.
