38 per cent Pakistanis think Nawaz Sharif faked ailment

Around 38 per cent of the Pakistanis believe the recent heart ailment of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was just an excuse to divert attention from the Panama leaks scandal that engulfed his family, a survey claimed.

However, 59 per cent think that Mr Sharif genuinely had a health issue, said a Gilani Research Foundation survey carried out by Gallup Pakist-an. The study used a nationally representative sample of 1,252 men and women from across the four provinces between June 6 to June 13, 2016.

“Some people claim that the Prime Minister’s operation is just an excuse to divert attention from the Panama leaks scandal. Others believe he is genuinely suffering from ill-health. What is your opinion on this ” the survey question asked.

The results revealed that 59 per cent of the respondents believed that it was a genuine health issue, while 38 per cent said that it was an excuse to divert attention from the Panama leaks scandal.

Three per cent did not know, or did not wish to answer. The error margin was estimated to be approximately ± 2-3 percent.

Prime Minister Sharif had said in response to the leaks that he would resign if any wrongdoing is proved against him before the commission formed to investigate his offshore wealth.

“I challenge those accusing me of wrongdoing to prove that before the commission and if anything is proved, I will step down without any delay,” Mr Sharif said while addressing the nation.