1 in 5 Pakistanis Name Rising Power and Gas Prices as Biggest Problem

Rising electricity and gas rates are the biggest concern among Pakistanis, according to the National Citizen Survey 2026 conducted by the Institute for Public Opinion Research (IPOR).

Key points

• The survey was based on face to face, in home interviews with 5, 155 voting age citizens between August 23 and September 5, 2026.
• The findings were presented Monday at a Citizens' Roundtable in Islamabad organized by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) Consulting.
• The Federal Investigation Agency recorded the highest level of complete trust at 33 percent, followed by the National Accountability Bureau at 23 percent.
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• Although 56 percent blamed the internet for declining social values, the survey discovered that 42 percent of respondents trusted social media more than television for news.

For context, the findings were presented Monday at a Citizens' Roundtable in Islamabad organized by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (Pildat) Consulting. While IPOR independently conducted the research, pildat Consulting led stakeholder engagement and communications for the public launch.

In practice, the survey was based on face to face, in home interviews with 5, 155 voting age citizens between August 23 and September 5, 2026. It applied a four stage stratified sample covering all four provinces, rural and urban areas, and major age, gender and income groups. ECC Approves Extra Rs. 3 Billion to Purchase More Bulletproof Cars.

Regarding 19 percent of respondents identified rising electricity and gas costs as Pakistan's biggest difficulty, making it the most frequently cited concern nationwide. The survey additionally identified that 42.9 percent of the federal budget goes toward debt servicing, compared with just 0.1 percent allocated to health.

For context, the findings indicated that 18 percent of respondents had personally been asked for a bribe by a administration official during the past year. Furthermore, 91 percent remarked it was challenging to start or operate a business in Pakistan, with taxation identified as the biggest obstacle.

No public institution included in the survey, including parliament, the Election Commission of Pakistan and the Federal Board of Revenue, received the complete trust of a majority of citizens. The Federal Investigation Agency recorded the highest level of complete trust at 33 percent, followed by the National Accountability Bureau at 23 percent. While the Revenue Department received 13 percent, parliament received 15 percent. Govt Approves Rs. 75 Billion to Offer Public Cheap Petrol.

Although 56 percent blamed the internet for declining social values, the survey discovered that 42 percent of respondents trusted social media more than television for news. While 66 percent expressed serious concern over Pakistan's rising national debt, meanwhile, 79 percent described the rise in drug employ as extremely dangerous. Of those respondents, 49 percent called the debt situation extremely concerning.

Regarding 60 percent of citizens stated the education system did not meet the needs of a modern economy. Meanwhile, 68 percent viewed Pakistan's International Monetary Fund programme as either harmful or of no benefit to the general public.

Notably, the survey additionally identified that 43 percent of respondents viewed reports on Pakistan by foreign funded nongovernmental organizations and think tanks as either exaggerated, contrary to facts or driven by a foreign agenda. In contrast, 25 percent considered such reporting fact based.

As well as throughout rural and urban areas, income groups and age categories, researchers remarked the findings were consistent throughout all four provinces. While unemployment ranked third nationally, the survey additionally identified the rising cost of everyday goods as a leading concern. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around 1 in 5 Pakistanis Name Rising Power and Gas Prices as Biggest point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.