Islamabad:
President Asif Ali Zardari enjoys the support of only 16 per cent of Pakistanis, while his rival and former premier Nawaz Sharif is the country's most popular leader with the backing of 71 per cent of the people, according to a new survey.
During the poll conducted by US-based International Republican Institute in March, 71 per cent supported opposition PML-N chief Sharif when they were asked who they would prefer as president. Sixteen per cent selected Zardari, said the survey released on Monday.
The timeframe in which the poll was conducted coincided with the climax of a movement launched by Sharif and his brother Shabaz Sharif against the Supreme Court's order barring them from holding elected office.
The protests led by Sharif forced the government to restore deposed Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and weakened Zardari's grip on power.
The survey indicated that Pakistanis are of the "overall opinion that conditions in the country remain poor, and as president of the country, Zardari is viewed as responsible". Respondents gave Zardari an approval rating of 19 per cent, unchanged since the last poll in October 2008.
The number of people viewing Sharif favourably increased 15 points to 75 per cent, placing him well ahead of the rest of the field. Asked who they felt was the best person to solve the problems of Pakistan, 55 per cent of respondents named Sharif, up from 31 per cent in the last poll by IRI.
While all other leaders of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party saw their popularity decrease, backing for Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani increased.
The number viewing the premier favourably rose from 19 per cent in the last poll to 33 per cent. Gilani was the most popular of PPP leaders and the fifth most popular leader overall.
Despite global fears about the Taliban destabilising Pakistan, only 10 per cent of respondents cited terrorism as the most important issue facing the country. A total of 77 per cent of the population cited economic issues, including inflation, unemployment and poverty, as their top priority.
However, when respondents were asked if they felt religious extremism was a serious problem in Pakistan, 74 per cent replied yes.
Sixty nine per cent said that the Taliban and Al-Qaida operating in Pakistan was a serious problem while 45 per cent said they supported the Pakistan Army fighting extremists in the North West Frontier Province and the tribal areas.
The March poll also witnessed an increase in the willingness of Pakistanis to cooperate with the US against extremism, with the number supporting such measures climbing to 37 per cent.
There was also an increase in the number saying they would support US military incursions in the tribal areas, nearly doubling to 24 per cent, IRI said.