Before we talk about PILDAT’s recent survey, we need to talk about what it is, really.
We were led to believe that it was a think tank, but now we’re told that they’re a research organisation as well. One that conducts surveys. What next? Sets up power plants? Cooks a mean biryani?
In any case, the PILDAT survey has ranked Nawaz Sharif smack on top of the popularity ladder. Higher than any mortal politician, yes, but higher than even the army chief, who is riding the crest of a popularity wave.
Now it does seem to be a hatchet job. For a country’s democratically elected PM to be popular isn’t too far-fetched an idea but that certainly can’t be ascertained by any of the surveyors currently working in the country. Polling is a complex craft, involving both art and science. It certainly can’t be done by an organisation novice in the field.
Recently, Fawad Hassan Fawad, who heads the PM’s office, gave a special presentation to the PILDAT head and a select team of his and briefed them about the performance of the government. Well, from there on, the PILDAT team seems to have gone back to their office and thrown a dart on a board. Voila! Survey ready!
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The PM is in the US, where by all accounts, the White House seems disinterested in talking to a person who is seen to be head of government in name only. The Economist wrote of the possibility of President Obama declining a proposal for a civil-nuclear partnership and that it would be a “long flight” back home.
Well, perhaps the premier can act on his penchant of stopping by at London on the way back to help balm the pain.
