Pakistanis’ trust in civilian govt has nosedived: US survey
WASHINGTON, Feb 14: Most Pakistanis have lost faith in their US-allied government and instead trust the military, says a Gallup survey released on Thursday.
Ninety-two per cent of Pakistanis disapprove of US leadership and 55pc of them fear greater interaction between Muslim and western societies could be harmful.
“The public’s confidence in the Pakistani national government — sometimes seen by Pakistanis as too cosy to the US government — has nosedived, reaching a low of 23 per cent in March and October 2012,” says the survey report.
This is down from 54pc in December 2008, shortly after the beginning of democratically elected President Asif Ali Zardari’s administration.
The trust in civilian government in recent years was the highest in 2006, 58pc, dropped slightly to 54pc in 2008, almost halved to 31pc in 2010 and fell to 23pc in 2012.
Conversely, confidence in the interventionist military — the organisation that has ruled the nation for over half of its post-independence history — climbed to 88pc in October 2012.
The confidence in the military stood at 84pc in 2006, came down to 76pc — the lowest in recent years — by the end of 2008, climbed to 80pc by mid-2012 and peaked to 88pc in 2012.
Gallup, one of the most prominent US surveyors, based these findings on a survey conducted from Sept 30-Oct 16, 2012, in Pakistan. The survey directly followed massive demonstrations against the release of an anti-Muslim film made in the US.
The surveyors predict that the upcoming May elections in Pakistan will be of “seismic importance for the future direction of the country and for US-Pakistan relations”.
The elections will mark the first time in the country’s history that a civilian government peacefully transfers power to a new civilian government.
“Insomuch as the role of the US in Pakistan weighs on the campaign dialogue, the perceived failures of the current regime might translate into the election of political actors that are more hostile or confrontational towards US interests,” the survey warns.
“The degree to which the US-conducted operations within Pakistan have weakened the political position of the existing Pakistani government is an open question,” the surveyors argue, “but the concomitant erosion of approval of US and Pakistani leadership on the Pakistani public’s part is impossible not to notice.”
Instead, Pakistanis put their trust in the military, despite its “meddlesome history in national governing affairs”, the surveyors add.
“What these trends mean for the coming election is unclear, but they suggest that the next few months could be of vital importance for the stability of the Pakistani government and the US-Pakistani relationship.”
The survey pointed out that President Barack Obama’s first term was characterised by strained relations between Pakistan and the US. Consequently, more than nine in 10 Pakistanis (92pc) disapprove of US leadership and 4pc approve, the lowest approval rating ever.
Pakistanis’ approval of the leadership of their ostensible ally, the United States, has historically been quite low. However, perceptions began to change, albeit modestly, through much of President Obama’s first term. As recently as May 2011, 27pc of Pakistanis approved of US leadership, the apex of support.
Noticeably, approval declined after the May 2011 killing of Osama bin Laden, an event that many Pakistanis viewed as a blatant disregard for Pakistani sovereignty.
Concurrently, Pakistanis now more than at any other time in the past three years feel threatened by interaction with the West, according to a May 12-June 6, 2012, survey.
A majority (55pc) say interaction between Muslim and western societies is “more of a threat”, up significantly from 39pc in 2011.
This sharp increase is observed at a time of heightened Pakistani concerns regarding US encroachment on Pakistani sovereignty, including an intensified number of US drone strikes in Pakistan.
Nearly half of the Pakistani population (49pc) is between the ages of 15 and 29. The largely anti-western sentiment among these young Pakistanis suggests that, even as this sizable group ages and begins to have a larger role in Pakistani governance, relations between the US and Pakistan may continue to be fraught with challenges.
If 55% thinks interaction between muslims and west is bad, why 100% eager to get a visa to US or Europe?
It is time for us to stop blaming the US for our ills. We have only ourselves to blame. No one, not even China, and least of all the US, will solve our problems. So it is about time our political leaders stop pointing fingers at each other and join hands in establishing a 25-year road-map that would transform Pakistan into an honest, modern and progressive country. And to do this, highest priority will need to be given in revamping our education system to one that promotes science and technology and not religious extremism.
I am not surprised at all with this poll. When educated people in Pakistan talk like madrassa educated or uneducated, what can one expect ?
The Gallup survey is plain wrong. I don’t think one out of 4 Pakistanis have their trust in the government, I would be surprised if one out of 10 Pakistani supports the government we have. You don’t need Gallup do your surveys, pickup a mobile and call random numbers, the more numbers you call the more accurate your survey would be. It doesn’t take much to call 2000 numbers, it would be a good high school project.
Dear Naseer Siddiqui,
Yes, Musharaf did put Pakistan in right path in most of the case and nothing was done close to what he has done in last 60 years all togather.
Yes, generals shall not rule, but there are always some exceptions!
Now smile
How come there are no Pakistani organizations conductive surveys in Pakistan? All these media outlets and no real investigative journalism from any of them.
vicious cycle continues….please stick to one system don’t go back 50 years give democracy a chance it will improve, during dictatorship we never get know about facts that’s why people consider it better than democracy.Democratic Pakistan was dream of Quaid lets not follow ayub, zia & co
“Pakistanis’ trust in civilian govt has nosedived”.
We do not need a US survey to understand why when all so-called democratic parties are part of the mass corruption this country is facing. As long as we do not change the system that suit our way of life, this western system of democracy will ruin us all.
what u need pakistan ruled as per sharia rule and pakistan live in 8 centuary thats your aim then how you fullfil our requirment foor food, tecnology,water what u think as per sharia law can we survived in modern socity
when civilian governments don’t perform then everybody looks at army to straighten things up
Undoubtedly civillian government was unable to perform upto the expectation of nation. Now when everyone is looking at the other pillars of government for relief army seems to be the only organized option with experience.
Facts are facts.
Has Army ever straightened things up?
Yes, it has always. When are you coming back to Pakistan?
yes it has from 1999-2002
Has the civilian govt proved better in this past 5 years ? Go into the street and ask any poor people for answer…..your stomach seem full…..
Yes, the industrial revolution was brought by General Muhammad Ayub Khan, It was he who developed the SITE in Karacahi, the biggest Industrial area of its kind in the South East Asia at that time. Tarbela dam is another achievement. Development of Islamabad another mile stone. What Our Civilian leadership has given to us, Bhutto nationalisation Program has brought havoc on the rising industries of Pakistan. Schooling System was destroyed by Bhutto’s nationalisation. Nationalisation is the biggest and unforgivable mistake Bhuttos has carried out. Banking sector was totally destroyed by his action of Nationalisation. What more you want to see from Civilian govt. If they are not in power they go and enjoy life in Western Countires, this is not the case with our military ruler, atleast they love this country and die in this country.
Musharraf Era was 1ooo times better then this….
At least the economy was much better during Pervez Musharraf’s era.
yes, a million times
And army has helped the country in what?
The Army may have to “straighten things up”. The civil government, the courts and the parliament are doing nothing but chasing their own tails.
Army forever!!