Published August 20th, 2009 by Future Atlas
Pakistan: Extremists against Extremism?
Polling by the Pew Global Attitudes Project show that Pakistani attitudes are shifting. They are far more worried about extremism, and feel less positive about al Qaeda and the Taliban.
- Seventy percent have an unfavorable view of the Taliban, vs. 33% in 2008. On al Qaeda, 61% now hold unfavorable views, compared to 34% last year.
- Nearly two-thirds of Pakistanis — 64% — see the US as an “enemy,” though 53% think improved relations between the two countries are important.
- India is viewed as a very serious threat by 69% of those polled, while 57% see the Taliban this way, and 41% label al Qaeda a serious threat.
- China is viewed positively by 84% of Pakistanis.
- Pakistanis have strong authoritarian impulses: “78% favor death for those who leave Islam; 80% favor whippings and cutting off hands for crimes like theft and robbery; and 83% favor stoning adulterers.”
- Pakistan may have some resistance to fragmentation: “89% say they think of themselves first as Pakistani, rather than as a member of their ethnic group.”
- Pakistanis are not deeply unhappy with their lives, despite poverty, instability, corruption, etc.: “74% say they are very or somewhat satisfied with their overall lives.”
- Only 5% now support suicide bombings targeting civilians “in defense of Islam;” 41% did so in 2004.
Public hostility to the US suggests that it would not take an outright extremist takeover to create a hostile regime in Pakistan. Politicians might find it a rewarding stance in an election, and in office, though economic and diplomatic costs might make this a risky strategy.
(Image courtesy openDemocracy)