American public views Pakistan poorly

[quote]
The two most interesting findings in this section have to do with Pakistan and Israel. Only 16% of the public has a favorable view of Pakistan, our essential partner in the new AfPak strategy – barely more than have a favorable view of Iran (11%) – and unfavorable views of Pakistan have gone from 39% to 68% since last year. Yikes.
[/quote

[Pew: American views on foreign policy 2009 | Marc Lynch]
(http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2009/12/04/pew_american_views_on_foreign_policy_2009)

I can’t say that I’m surprised about it. When people here see ugly bearded Pakistanis out in the streets rioting like idiots, it’s going to affect their view. And when they also see the lack of patriotism among some Pakistanis in the US who are quick to take advantage of the benefits it provides, it also does more harm.

Honestly, why would anyone here want to travel there when they could go to India or EVEN Bangladesh when they are much safer?

Pakistanis in America have a lot of work to do in order to create a better impression of Pakistan. Instead, we see fake wannabe mullahs who complain about American culture yet have no problem accepting a green card to settle here.

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

i'm more surprised at ur comments on pakistanis. so influenced by West and prejudiced for ur own nation.

I guess it might have to do with the fact that Pakistan is now a bastion of militant Islamic extremism nowadays. It's quite difficult to express pride in a country that allows mullahs free reign to do whatever it wants.

It's bad when the only people who flock to Pakistan who do not have familial ties are European Muslim converts and Muslims of non-Pakistani lineage who want to become extremists and impose their draconian version of Islam upon them.

Besides, Pakistanis in the West should express loyalty to their adopted country. Since I live in America, I would much rather be here than living in Pakistan. There's freedom and opportunity here, but none over there (unless you're close to the government).

let's make a list of all things that make us proud of being a pakistani in this current world ...

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

Dont you guys get it
its Dhj786
pakistan and pakistani hater
what more do u expect from him
duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
wake up !!!

read his posts u will find out what i mean.
but its allowed on gs to insult pakistan so i rest my case.

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

I can't admit that I'm Pakistani in a professional environment because of a backlash.

I think you must be praying to God that u can allow and vent ur frustration about pakistan on this gs forum. masha Allah kudos to you and kudos to gs for allowing all this.
Why should i go to indian forums to see how pakistan and pakistanis are humiliated i can stay here.

i am very sensitive about being Pakistani ... i openly, and everywhere admit my origin ... even if not asked ... and i love the following debate and curiosity!

although i have to admit that i am not very proud of some pakistanis, for whom i have to answer!
but such people are true to every community and nation!

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

I think a responsible thing to do would be to also educate people about what sacrifice pakistan and pakistanis are making in this war. there are thousands of innocent Pakistanis blown up by the extremists, scores of security personnel who have laid down their either in combat duties or because their training bases, buses and events were attacked.

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

Humain to apnoon ne loota, ghairon main kahan dam tha...

Khair.. I wish if people like dhj can think positive... than complaining about less sugar in my coffee.

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

X2, thats exactly the thing!! Most americans have such limited experience of desi culture, of Pakistan, of Islaam. And most Muslims tend to keep to themselves over here and not mix in, not educate their american peers about Islaam or Pakistan or cultural issues.

Those who are proud of who and what they are, those who share their important cultural values and celebrations are most welcome!

Its when you keep to yourselves your celebrations, your values and your beleifs...thats when mistrust develops.

SHARE people!!!

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

Banned from pa/wa, he's found a new home ;(

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

Dude you really have a big inferiority complex don't you?

This just shows how racist, bigoted and phobic some people can be to Pak/Islam.

And they have the cheek to accuse Muslims of being hateful!

That's true.

Most people who are hateful are only hateful because they're ignorant and their image of Pakistan/Islaam is what the media portrays Muslims/Pakis to be.

If Pakis/Muslims made more of an effort to show people that we're not all like the handful of loonies who are given media coverage then people will realise we're human too..

Deep down we're all the same, Muslims/Pakis who equate all Americans with the American foreign policy are just ignoran/brainwashed and the Americans who equate all Pakis/Muslim with terrorism are also ignorant/brainwashed..

..I wish people would start seeing each other as humans, really we're the same, everyone just wants to be loved and respected and it's just fear/phobia/ignorance which drive ppl to hatred/war/extremism etc.

I'm proud of my religion but I also respect other religions and cultures and once people realise this they're very warm and accepting and the initial apprehension they had goes outta the window.

Explain to me why Americans should have a positive image of Pakistan when men such as this is displayed prominently?

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

No one has to tell me (dhj786) about how some Pakistanis are and how Pakistsan or Pakistan is perceived by the world. I know what is the situation in Pakistan and we need to sort things out ourselfs but for some they do nothing else but insulting, humiliating and defaming Pakistan.

Again everywhere i go whatever channel i watch whatever newspaper i read i see Pakistan and Islam bashing, defaming, instuling and humiliating. I did not expect that to happen in this forum.

Freedom of speech is MUST even i criticise Pakistan because i want the best for Pakistan we all want the best for Pakistan because we are Pakistanis.
What I find hypocritical is that someone is non stop 24/7 after Pakistan, Islam and Pakistanis.

Worse they are IGNORING others as if Pakistan or Muslims countries are the only countries where there is problem. I only want people to look into the mirror and see how ugly they look themselfs and then judge others.

There are bad things in every country. Ok now there is democracy in West but how long is it ago when there was war in europe? not so long ago i am not even talking about WW 1 or WW2, i mean Bosnian WAR and grave human rights violations in Bosnia where thousands of Muslims were killed whilst the bloody Dutch were watching.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims killed in iraq, afghanistan and pakistan.
Dictators (sponsored by the WEST) in Muslim countries. I can go on and on but things are not as simple as dhl786i is pointing here.

Again on one hand i am flabbergasted at the tolerance (they are really holier then the pope) of GS moderators and i salute them. But this is inferiority complex to act holier then the pope.
Ground reality is different.

Just go to others forums and see how our Prophet, Islam, Muslims and Islamic values are insulted, crushed, put down, trashed, demeaned ............gosh its really sad that it also has to happen here in my own beloved Pakistani forum where i thought i would find a shelter against all that enimosity but no that did not happen........................................................
ever since i am member of GS forum i had to fight to protect Pakistan and Pakistani people i wrote like crazy i posted like a nut (often alone, sometimes helped by others).

After few weeks i gave up the fight because i cannot fight alone and i felt saddened because in my own beloved Pakistani forum this was happening so i thought its a lost battle.

Khair i did vent my feelings i hope i can sleep better after drinking a Wodka lolz

Salaams

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

I agree that we as Pakistanis should show the world what the real Pakistan is, and what our culture is. And that we are NOT terrorists.
But arent we doing that already?

Our soldiers are dying in the war against those terrorists. The whole world can see how our soldiers are fighting in swat.

On a smaller scale we are also making effort to show others the real Pakistan. Pakistani student associations par example organise quite some activities etc...

The thing is, sometimes you try to convince others as hard as you can. But when people close their eyes and only wanto see what they like to see, than it wont have any effect.
And people like the thread starter dont make it any easier.

It is never good.
When the terrorists are killed, people will come and yell about human rights blablabla

If the terrorists dont get killed than Pakistan sponsors them.

Na agay janay dete hain, na peechhay,
so its pretty messed up actually.

I totally agree with you :k:

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

[quote]
There are bad things in every country. Ok now there is democracy in West but how long is it ago when there was war in europe? not so long ago i am not even talking about WW 1 or WW2, i mean Bosnian WAR and grave human rights violations in Bosnia where thousands of Muslims were killed whilst the bloody Dutch were watching.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims killed in iraq, afghanistan and pakistan.
Dictators (sponsored by the WEST) in Muslim countries. I can go on and on but things are not as simple as dhl786i is pointing here.
[/quote]

Did you forget what happened in Bangladesh circa 1971? Or the hundreds of thousands of Muslims slaughtered in Algeria by your beloved fundamentalists in the 1990s? You are so quick to condemn the West yet you constantly ignore the atrocities committed by fellow Muslims.

Re: American public views Pakistan poorly

I'll give you an example: some Pakistanis are often outraged over trivial stuff, such as films like Khuda Kye Liye and Slackistan, or the Pakistani fashion show. They are so outraged over that, yet when it comes to mullahs who hijack God's word and turn it into a gospel of hatred and intolerance by blowing up people and being involved in more terrorist plots than one can imagine, they are either hiding them for fear of being declared sellouts by extremists or stay silent.

Apparently, holding a fashion show is much worse than blowing up buildings everyday.