http://www.dawn.com/weekly/review/review3.htm
A more in depth analysis of PEW survey published in Dawn. Some interesting facts about the responses of Pakistanis.
A wake-up call for Pakistan
By Dr Khalida P.Zaki
The finding of the Pew report point to the reform many of Pakistan’s policies, write Dr Khalida P.Zaki.
On December 4, The Pew Research Center For the People and The Press, Washington D.C., released the Global Attitude report: What the World Thinks in 2002. The report reflects the public opinions based on national surveys of 38,000+ people from 44 nations. Most of the surveys were completed through face-to-face interviews with people. The survey asked questions related to people’s views on the state of their lives, their nations, and global conditions. The surveys also collected data on public opinions about America’s role in the world, American foreign policy, and the spread of American culture and values.
The report identifies diseases and illnesses, primarily AIDS, as the number one global problem followed by the fear of religious and ethnic violence in both the west and the Muslim countries. The threat of nuclear weapons falls at the third place on the mind of the people in the world. In general, the main conclusion of the report is that world is not a happier place at the end of 2002. Regarding the ratings of the United States, majorities of 35 of the 42 countries responded favourably. However, in the Muslim world, the United States received very unfavourable ratings.
Unlike the majority of the worldview of global problems, a little over half of the Pakistani respondents (54 per cent) view the spread of nuclear weapons as the first “greatest threat” to the world, followed by the growing gap between the rich and poor (43 per cent); and, religious and ethnic hatred (41per cent), at the second and third places, respectively. Among Pakistanis, the threats of AIDS and infectious diseases (36 per cent), and pollution and environment (14 per cent) were less important. However, a third of the Muslims in Pakistan reported that suicide bombing was justifiable in defence of Islam.
The most intriguing aspect of the Pew report are the views expressed by Pakistani respondents. I think it is important that they be shared and discussed with the Pakistani public and leadership through the Pakistani media, which is the goal of this article. It is written in despair that the Pakistani nation faces enormous problems; it is written in hope thatthe Pakistani leadership has a challenge to do it right and this is the time to do it. Pakistani public is very aware of this situation and is hopeful of the future as reflected in the report.
The Pew report divides the countries of the world into six regions as West Europe, East Europe, Middle East/Conflict Area, Americas, Asia and Africa. Pakistan is listed as one of the countries in the Middle East/Conflict Area along with Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Uzbekistan. Of the total sample of 6,750 for the Middle East/Conflict Area, 2,032 are Pakistanis of age 18 and over. The gender of the respondents is not identified. The Urdu language survey was mostly conducted in urban areas. Thus, the results of the survey have to be understood within those limitations.
As the focus of this article is Pakistan, the comparative analysis of Middle East/Conflict Area, and South Asian countries is not presented here. However, for the curious mind, I have presented the comparable results in the tables. Simply, the situation in South Asia is a very dangerous one.
The views of Pakistani respondents about their own lives and family, national problems, government, world, and the United States are presented in the following sections:
I. Are Pakistanis satisfied with their personal and family lives? For the personal concerns, 59 per cent reported economic problems affecting their lives, and housing was identified as a major problem. While 42 per cent of respondents believed that their lives had gotten worse over the past five years; 22 per cent reported it had improved over that period. However, 46 per cent were hopeful, expecting improvements in their lives over the next five years; only 6 per cent said the situation would not improve; and the rest were double-minded. Satisfaction with family life was the view of the majority, 60 per cent, relative to those reporting satisfaction with job and household income (among those who were employed). However, 47 per cent, of the people reported that in the past year there were times when they were unable to afford food, clothing or medical care. Thus, allowing for margins of error in research, it appears about 50 per cent of the Pakistanis were dissatisfied with their lives, and with lack of basic necessities of life.
II. How do Pakistanis view their national problems? In Pakistan, a Conflicting Area-country, 80 per cent of the respondents pointed out the economy as their nation’s most important primary problem with joblessness among other concerns. Yet, 49 per cent reported the current economic situation in the country was good. However, crime is reported by 84 per cent of people as number one among the “very big” problems in Pakistan followed by terrorism (78 per cent), AIDS & disease (62 per cent). Next on the list are poor quality of schools (61 per cent); ethnic conflict (59 per cent); corrupt political leaders (58 per cent); poor drinking water (55 per cent) and moral decline (55 per cent). Poor economic conditions and crimes (street crimes) are known to go together. However, crimes of corruption and terrorism need in-depth analysis.
III. How do Pakistanis view the influence of government, military, news media, and religious leaders on Pakistan? The report considered Pakistan a less open society where about half of the surveyed people reported satisfaction with their government…was interpreted as a sign of “happy public”. Regarding the influences of institutions, such as, military, national government, news media, and religious leadership, military got the highest marks with 84 per cent of Pakistanis rateing the military as having good influence on their country compared to 72 per cent of national government, and 62 per cent of news media. The religious leadership was considered having positive influence by 50 per cent of the respondents. This all reflects on the unsettled local conditions of the country. Obviously, the high positive views of the military and government are consistent with authoritarian regimes as they are hard to oppose.
*IV. How does Pakistani public view the United States? Since Pakistan is one of the most important allies of the US in its war against terrorism, its views of the U.S. image are considered very important. Only 10 per cent of the respondents gave a favourable view of the US in 2002 showing a decline by 13 points from 23 per cent in 1999.However, the American people received somewhat favourable ratings by 17 per cent of the public. In Pakistan, 36 per cent believed that the United States does not consider other countries’ interests while making foreign policy; 45 per cent opposed the US led war against terrorism. A vast majority of Pakistanis (81 per cent) believe that the spread of American ideas and customs is bad; 60 per cent dislike the American ideas of democracy; 53 per cent dislike the American ways of doing business. Most of the people in this survey had not visited the United States. Those who had visited the United States showed more favourable opinions of the US
Pakistan needs to address its problems realistically. In the era of globalization, with all its uncertainties,change has to come. It has been initiated in a very unexpected way for the Muslim world that has placed Pakistan in a very difficult situation. Pakistan stands at the crossroads of history where it can have huge influence for the nation, the region and international relations. The immediate areas of focus must be the elimination of crime and terrorism, improvement of the economy, and state of education. Improvement in employment and educational opportunities in a more egalitarian manner,the reduction of ethnic tensions for the masses and open doors for other social changes.
In Pakistan, there are many more areas of individual groups and women’s sufferings, not a part of the Pew report, that deserve the special attention of the authorities. The widespread crimes of “honour” and terrorism committed against women in Pakistan are alarming. The sufferings of this half of the country’s population need due recognition and an active agenda to eliminate these problems. The redressal of people’s problems requires not only material and economic resources but also a high level of moral commitment from its leadership. Now that women have received considerable representation in the parliament, that resource may be used to its best potential for the recognition of women’s problems. If Pakistan does not respond appropriately to the problems of the time and improve its social and public institutions with progressive educational and Islamic principles, peace and prosperity will slip further away. The majority of Pakistanis do want an honorable future for themselves, for the country and the world.
(Dr. Khalida P. Zaki is Professor of Sociology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.)
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Its seems that Pakistanis been to US are more favourable response then those never been to US. I think all the propoganda in media and speeches by mullahs does pay off.