Pakistanis think India is greater threat than Taliban despite the bombings by latter

Pakistanis are remarkably neurotic people.  It is no secret that it is a heaven for conspiracy theorists.  That’s their staple.  What this thing has done is to make them orchestrate their own ruin.

Pew Research

If you look at the chart here you will see that while the people who believe that Taliban is a greater threat have decreased in the last few years (strangely, as the attacks by Taliban have increased!); while those viewing India as a threat have correspondingly increased. Go figure!

Interestingly, an equal percentage (59%) of Indians also view Pakistanis unfavorably.  And Indians are not alone.   People in China, Japan, and three predominantly Muslim countries – Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt also have a negative view of Pakistan.

Look at the irony that 9 out of 10 Pakistanis consider China as their trusted partner.  Onljy 1 out of 10 Pakistani considers China as their enemy.  The Chinese don’t really care for Pakistanis, but Pakistanis can’t get enough of their “Chinese brothers”.

Coming to the leaders of their country, Imran Khan seems to be the highest rated right now.  In order of popularity it is:

  1. Imran Khan
  2. Nawaz Sharif
  3. Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and
  4. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
  5. Ex-Gen Pervez Musharraf
Pak Leaders Rating

Another interesting trend is that although the view of the Extremist groups are not popular, they don’t worry Pakistanis much.

Overall, concerns about extremism have ebbed since 2009, when the Pakistan military was battling Taliban-affiliated groups in the Swat Valley area near Islamabad. Then, fully 69% were concerned that extremists might take control of Pakistan, compared with 52% today.

Now, this is rather strange because when one listens to the Pakistani programs and anchors, one can see how worried they are.  But even more importantly, the suicide bombings and terror attacks haven’t really ebbed.  So, what gives?  How can citizens of a country which is clearly being bombed by certain group of people, be not worried about them?

This is precisely what is taking Pakistan down.  Even though one is hurt, one can’t do a whole lot because the passions for the religion is high even amongst the nationalists, and they cannot distinguish between the guy who talks passionately about Islam and is bombing Pakistan versus another person who is religious.  This inability is going to take their entire country down.

Great! You’ve successfully signed up.

Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.

You've successfully subscribed to Drishtikone - Online Magazine on Geopolitics and Culture from Indian Perspective.

Success! Check your email for magic link to sign-in.

Success! Your billing info has been updated.

Your billing was not updated.