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| Musharraf 'obstacle to stability' | Musharraf 'obstacle to stability' |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A majority of Pakistanis say stability and security in Pakistan would improve if President Pervez Musharraf resigned, according to a BBC World Service poll. | A majority of Pakistanis say stability and security in Pakistan would improve if President Pervez Musharraf resigned, according to a BBC World Service poll. |
| The survey of more than 1,400 people across Pakistan suggested support for Mr Musharraf has fallen dramatically. | The survey of more than 1,400 people across Pakistan suggested support for Mr Musharraf has fallen dramatically. |
| Almost half the respondents said they thought his controversial re-election last November was not valid. | Almost half the respondents said they thought his controversial re-election last November was not valid. |
| Pakistanis polled were divided about whether the general elections scheduled for 18 February would be free and fair. | Pakistanis polled were divided about whether the general elections scheduled for 18 February would be free and fair. |
| BBC World Service Poll on Pakistan [23k] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | BBC World Service Poll on Pakistan [23k] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| A nationally representative sample of 1,476 Pakistani adults were polled from 27 to 28 January 2008 on behalf of BBC Urdu. | A nationally representative sample of 1,476 Pakistani adults were polled from 27 to 28 January 2008 on behalf of BBC Urdu. |
| They were also asked a question relating to the judiciary and the sacked former chief justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Chaudhry. | They were also asked a question relating to the judiciary and the sacked former chief justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Chaudhry. |
| He has become one of President Musharraf's most outspoken critics - and a focal point for opposition to the government - since the president first tried to dismiss him last year. | He has become one of President Musharraf's most outspoken critics - and a focal point for opposition to the government - since the president first tried to dismiss him last year. |
| People were asked whether they thought the new National Assembly, which will be elected next week, should try to re-instate Mr Chaudhry. | |
| Almost two-thirds of the people questioned said they thought it should. | Almost two-thirds of the people questioned said they thought it should. |
| Popularity | Popularity |
| All this is gloomy news for President Musharraf and his allies. | All this is gloomy news for President Musharraf and his allies. |
| BBC WORLD SERVICE POLL 64% say stability would improve if Musharraf resigned49% say his re-election in November was invalid44% say they are confident elections will be free and fair51% say they are optimistic conditions will improve over next six monthsSource: GlobeScan | BBC WORLD SERVICE POLL 64% say stability would improve if Musharraf resigned49% say his re-election in November was invalid44% say they are confident elections will be free and fair51% say they are optimistic conditions will improve over next six monthsSource: GlobeScan |
| It supports the findings of another recent poll conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI), which also suggested that the president's standing was being eroded, compared with a similar IRI poll released in mid-December. | It supports the findings of another recent poll conducted by the International Republican Institute (IRI), which also suggested that the president's standing was being eroded, compared with a similar IRI poll released in mid-December. |
| The results of the latest poll found a particularly low approval rating for his performance. Only 15% of people asked said they approved of the job he was doing, while 72% disapproved. | The results of the latest poll found a particularly low approval rating for his performance. Only 15% of people asked said they approved of the job he was doing, while 72% disapproved. |
| That compared with an approval rate of 30% at the end of last year. Three-quarters of the people asked said they would like him to resign. | That compared with an approval rate of 30% at the end of last year. Three-quarters of the people asked said they would like him to resign. |
| That number too has increased. His overall popularity rating had also declined (by 12 points) since the last survey. | That number too has increased. His overall popularity rating had also declined (by 12 points) since the last survey. |
| Conspiracy theories | Conspiracy theories |
| In recent months, a series of events have helped to change the political landscape. The murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on 27 December created a wave of sympathy for the opposition. | In recent months, a series of events have helped to change the political landscape. The murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on 27 December created a wave of sympathy for the opposition. |
| There has been dispute over the cause of Bhutto's deathHer widower and the new co-chair of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Zardari, has so far managed to keep his party unified and opinion polls suggest that the PPP may have strengthened its position. | There has been dispute over the cause of Bhutto's deathHer widower and the new co-chair of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Asif Zardari, has so far managed to keep his party unified and opinion polls suggest that the PPP may have strengthened its position. |
| In contrast, there has been a backlash against President Musharraf and his government since Ms Bhutto's death. | In contrast, there has been a backlash against President Musharraf and his government since Ms Bhutto's death. |
| Although a recent investigation by UK detectives supported the government's version of events surrounding her assassination, suspicions and conspiracy theories have persisted, especially amongst PPP supporters. | Although a recent investigation by UK detectives supported the government's version of events surrounding her assassination, suspicions and conspiracy theories have persisted, especially amongst PPP supporters. |
| When the team carrying out the BBC-commissioned poll asked people who they thought was responsible for her death, almost 40% said they thought the Pakistani security agencies or people linked to them were responsible. | When the team carrying out the BBC-commissioned poll asked people who they thought was responsible for her death, almost 40% said they thought the Pakistani security agencies or people linked to them were responsible. |
| But it should be noted that the poll was conducted before the release of the UK findings. | But it should be noted that the poll was conducted before the release of the UK findings. |