The Pakistan Army is declared the most trusted institution with an impressive 74 percent approval rating while the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ranked as the least trusted among the eight institutions.
This was the outcome of a survey conducted by Ipsos for Voice of America (VOA) titled the ‘Political Participation Landscape of Pakistani Youth’.
The survey gathered insights from 2,050 respondents aged 18-34 across the country.
According to the survey, the second most trusted institution is the Supreme Court of Pakistan, securing a commendable 58 percent approval rating. The media follows as the third most trusted institution, while political parties receive a 50 percent approval rating from respondents.
The survey highlighted that a substantial portion of the youth population engaged with politics, with 3 in 4 respondents expressing belief that elections would steer the country out of current situation.
Additionally, 2 in 3 respondents anticipate free and fair elections, and 88 percent consider their vote as crucial.
However, despite political awareness, the survey revealed that only 54 percent of youth stayed informed about politics, candidates, and their manifestos in their constituency.
Furthermore, only 29 percent expressed support for specific politicians and political parties, with intentions to participate in rallies and processions.
As the upcoming general elections approach on February 8, 70 percent of respondents claim they wpuld cast their votes. Notably, 1 in 5 respondents has switched their preferred party from 2018 to 2024, while 78 percent intend to vote for the same party. The remaining 22 percent plan to switch their allegiance.
The survey shed light on the qualities deemed crucial by the youth when choosing a candidate. An overwhelming 56 percent prioritize honesty, integrity, and high ethical standards in an ideal candidate.
On the topic of election integrity, 2 in 3 young Pakistanis expressed confidence in the fairness of the upcoming 2024 elections.
Additionally, the survey explored the perception of foreign or international influences on the performance of the Pakistani government, with 1 in 3 participants believing in such influences.
Regarding information sources, the survey highlighted that TV, social media, and word of mouth were the most preferred mediums for Pakistani youth.
