Islamabad, Aug. 3 (PTI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's party is likely to sweep the general elections scheduled to be held later this year, according to an opinion poll.

About 58 per cent people in Sindh, 33 per cent in Balochistan, 23 per cent in Punjab and 25 per cent in North West Frontier Province (NWFP) wanted to see Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) in power, the poll conducted by the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) said.

The survey, carried out between June 13 and July 3, showed that self-exiled Bhutto has overtaken President Pervez Musharraf in popularity ratings.

"The survey should serve as an eye-opener to those who advocate the idea of a non-representative government for Pakistan. The majority of Pakistanis are very clear in their minds about the future set up for their country.

"They want a democratic government and a strong Parliament to represent them, and work for their welfare," Sherry Rehman, Central Information Secretary of PPP, said while releasing part of the results of the poll.

After the results of the comprehensive survey, there should be no doubt in anyone's mind about the choices people want to make in Pakistan, she said in a statement here today.

"Despite suffering a decade of political mudslinging and a spate of attempts at breaking its back, the PPP remains the most popular party with the masses, enjoying a strong support base in the rural areas, (among) labourers and low-income households that comprises the majority of Pakistan," she said.