A new poll shows public opinion in Pakistan has turned sharply against the Taliban and other Islamist militants, even though they still do not trust the United States and President Barack Obama. Reporting on the poll, our Asia specialist in Washington, Paul Eckert, said the WorldPublicOpinion.org poll, conducted in May as Pakistan’s army fought the Taliban in the Swat Valley, found that 81 percent saw the Pakistani Taliban and al Qaeda as a critical threat to the country, a jump from 34 percent in a similar poll in late 2007. Read Eckert’s report here.
(Photo: Pakistani Taliban in Swat, 2 Nov 2007/Sherin Zada Kanju)
The poll shows a wide divergence between Pakistani public opinion and the views of the Taliban on the implementation of sharia, a religious issue sometimes cited to help explain earlier tolerance of the militants. Some 80 percent of the respondents said sharia permits education for girls, one of the first services the Taliban close down when they gain control of an area. And 75 percent said sharia allows women to work, which the Taliban do not.
Reflecting their distrust, 71 percent said they believed the Taliban would not even submit to the sharia courts that they themselves have set up or promised to install as a pure and speedy alternative to Pakistan’s corrupt and inefficient civil courts. Only 14 percent supported the Taliban claim that it could provide more effective and timely justice than the state, a claim that partly helped the Islamist militants in the past (although it must be added that only 56 percent expressed trust in the civil courts). Only 9 percent said they thought the Taliban would do better at fighting corruption than the government, which got a lukewarm 47 percent. In any case, these results seem to indicate very little support for trademark Taliban promises that once seemed attractive.
If accurate, these findings mark a major shift from the results of a similar poll by WorldPublicOpinion.org in late 2007, not long after the Pakistani army flushed out Islamist militants who had taken control of the Red Mosque complex in the heart of Islambad. More than 100 died in the raid, including dozens of suspected militants and at least 10 troops. Some 64 percent said the raid was a mistake while only 22 percent supported the decision. A 60 percent majority believed that sharia should play a larger role in Pakistani law than it did at the time.
(Photo: Anti-Taliban rally in Lahore, 19 June 2009/Mohsin Raza)
Another poll, by the International Republican Institute, relativises this shift a bit. Conducted in March, before the height of the Taliban-army clash in Swat and the video of Taliban flogging a teenage local girl that reportedly turned Pakistani opinion against the militants, it shows more sympathy for the Taliban’s sharia demands. While 74 percent said religious extremism was a problem in Pakistan, 80 percent supported the introduction of sharia in Swat and 72 percent supported the government peace deal with the Taliban there. Some 56 percent said they would support the Taliban if they demanded sharia in other cities such as Karachi, Multan, Quetta or Lahore.
The relationship between traditional religious views and the Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan is so complex that I’m not sure any poll gives a very accurate picture. Unfortunately, neither poll examined in greater detail what those polled thought about sharia and how much of it should be applied in Pakistan. Does anyone have other poll results that give what they think is a better picture?
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UPDATE (July 2) Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid has an interesting opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times saying: “The Pakistani public, army and government have suddenly awakened to the Taliban threat. That is a crucial first step. But it will need strong international support to effectively respond.”
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The failure of the Nizam-e-Adl accord in Swat exposed the Taliban for what they are: a bunch of gunmen greedy for power, money and women. I am glad finally the majority of Pakistanis have turned against them.
These Pakistani Taliban are supported by India and have caused massive damage to Pakistan.
- Posted by Aamir AliPakistani Bloggers .. WATCHOUT ..
If you make fun of Zardari, he’ll send U to jail for 14 years ..
- Posted by Paulhttp://www.analyst-network.com/article.p hp?art_id=3032
Very Very Peaceful Islam taught in Pak’s Madrassas ..
Quoran explodes on innocent peace loving students ..
- Posted by Jameshttp://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=2 0601091&sid=aOuNqXWaHvsw
Xinjiang Effect!
Official: Pakistan can help broker U.S.-Taliban talks
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/07 /10/pakistan.taliban.omar/index.html
Two days back, when Hu got back to China from G8, he immediately got in touch with Kiyani and asked him to get rid of all talibans and alikes. China is now scared about Taliban trained Uigers. So under Chinese pressure, ISI invented this new game to keep all strategic assets alive for tomorrow.
Second, with recent intense drone attacks, Pakistan is realizing this is the only way to keep taliban alive. and ISI can kill so many birds with one stone:
1. Taliban stays alive to fight tomorrow if needed
2. Pakistan gets US billions
3. China can be convinced that Taliban disappeared or moved to Afghanistan and no longer Pakistan’s problem
4. Pakistan extort more US weapons and may be a nuclear deal from USA
5. Pakistan gets to keep anti-India terrorists
6. And Pakistan gets accolades and more aid as a peace maker
But the most important thing is:
1. Pakistan was playing double game with US/NATO since 2001.
2. Now we all know that ISI knows where is Mulla Omar.
3. If Pakistan had made this statement in 2001, 647 US lives and 1500 NATO lives could have been saved.
It is really tragic when you get allies like this!
- Posted by paulISI’s double game
US death toll at 647, NATO at 1450 …
“Pakistan’s military has declared that not only is it in contact with Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar but that it can bring him and other commanders to the negotiating table with the United States”
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapc f/07/10/pakistan.taliban.omar/#cnnSTCTex t
- Posted by PatrickMr. Tom Heneghan,
Today, I just saw a snippet of an interview with CNN’s Michael Ware and he said that the Pakistani Army is willing to broker a truce with the Taliban, on behalf of the U.S. I find this quite laughable and truly believe that President Obama is being had and lied to and being manipulated.
It is also quite laughable that the CIA once allied with the notorious and insidious Lt. Gen. Hamid Gul, former head of ISI Services in Pakistan. Lt. Gen. Hamid Gul is also known by all in Pakistan as the GODFATHER of the TALIBAN and friend of Mullah Omar.
It appears that the U.S. is entertaining dialogue using Hamid Gul as an intermediary with Mullah Omar, the leader of the Taliban.
Is it just me, or is the U.S. and Obama extremely naive to believe anything that Pakistan says.
The depth of lying and double dealing by Pakistan’s state agencies, its Army, its retired officers and its Intelligence Agencies is appalling, mind-blowing and staggering. Almost unfathomable. India knows what they are like and I am suprised that the U.S. continues to display its naivity, this will be the undoing of its efforts in Afghanistan, as Pakistan is probably still supplying the Taliban in Afghanistan to kill American and NATO troops.
The U.S. is being had, plain and simple and using the Taliban card as an excuse to leverage the U.S. against India.
While Pakistan pretends to take on the Taliban, the man, Lt. Gen. Hamid Gul, who created them, like all other terrorists in Pakistan walks free and the U.S. is not exerting its muscle, the way it should and saying anything of value to reign in Pakistan.
It is a good thing that Pakistan has no oil, I am sure the Neocons in the U.S. would have flattened it along time ago, as done in Iraq.
If some in Pakistan believe that India is fomenting unrest in Pakistan, let it send a detailed Dossier with concrete evidence.
In the end, it appears that the Billions of Dollars given by Bush and the Billions given by Obama, the IMF and UN member nations as of recent have and are being used to build more Nuclear bxmbs, supply and arm the Taliban to destablize the U.S. and NATO effort and create more proxy terrorism against India.
Mr. Obama and Mr. Singh of India need to discuss a greater and stronger military alliance to keep Pakistan honest and in check. Pakistan’s goals are wreak havoc as much as possible, wherever they can. Nothing productive has ever come out of Pakistan, or giving aid to Pakistan.
- Posted by Global WatcherMr. Anjum
My personal prediction is that if Kashmir was given away to Pakistan, the Pakistani Army would occupy that land and use that land to make further inroads into the Indian subcontinent and stage further stablization into India.
If 1971 is any indication, India is ready, as always for any criminal land grabs by Pakistan, the next time, Pakistan will be further separated, if it attempts another war or any problems with India. You can’t use your nukes, unfortunately to take that land, your nukes are ineffective.
Thank God A.Q. Khan was better as a technological thief and illegal proliferator of nuclear technology than an actually an intelligent man with a brain, and compassion towards mankind, like Albert Einstein, no insult to Mr. Einsten of course.
Pakistan has always excelled at lying, stealing and murdering innocents. Congrats.
- Posted by Global WatcherMr. Anjum says:
“Trust me, we can do this, while handling the Taliban. The US wants to finish them off and we are closing the gates on them. So it is only a short time. And we learn from our mistakes. We will figure out what mistakes were made and come out with better plans to protect our interests. Do not think that our only goal is to destabilize India. It is Kashmir that is the root cause of all issues between us. Settle it and we will go our own way. LeT can have whatever policy it wants. But they will settle for Kashmir.”
Kashmir is the tip of the iceberg, there is a deobandi Islamic push to re-occupy India and reforce an oppressive style of Islam upon it, on that basis, Kashmir will not budge an inch from India’s hand. Bangladesh was not separated by and created by India, it was done by the people of Bangladesh themselves, who suffered genocide and a slaughterous murder at the hands of West Pakistani Army. It always was the choice of East Pakistani’s to remain with Pakistan or not, it was not India’s choice, it was the will of those people there.
Thirdly, India was not supporting Tamil Tigers, it was infact the world wide Tamil Diaspora, which was collecting money to fight Sri Lanka. Just like the Sikh diaspora was sending money to buy weapons for the Sikh insurrection against their own motherland. Thank God, that Sikhism, a peaceful loving religion was not hijacked permanently for political means by a filthy few and the filthy few in Pakistan who armed them.
You want Kashmir, come and take it.
- Posted by Global Watcher@Ahsan Naqvi:
How come your comments are the same as that of Rizwan Akhtar? Are you inspired by your ‘Father of Pakistan nuclear program’ A.Q. Khan in COPYING/STEALING other’s work?
Anywayz, coming to your(?) comments, you said:
“They are not a Muslim, Because Islam don’t give the Suicide Bomber Permission on Muslim, Masjid, Immam Bargha and all Innocent Peoples. They are Prepare Professional Group. The Concept of Taliban was created to promote false idea about Islam and blame the Islam & Muslim potential Terrorist.”
Who is the sole authority acting on behalf of Islam when you say Islam don’t give the permission?
Rizwan Akhtar: “talibaan are raw and mosad agent..”
- Posted by SunnyWhy was the Pakistan Army silent when Talibaan occupied Afghanistan? The Army wanted RAW/Mossad agents to be in power in Afghanistan? Or all of a sudden the Army realised that Taliban are RAW/Mossad agents when they started attacking Pakistan?
Wake up and think with your little brain and then you will start understanding how the Army has been fooling you for so long and still doing.
They are not a Muslim, Because Islam don’t give the Suicide Bomber Permission on Muslim, Masjid, Immam Bargha and all Innocent Peoples. They are Prepare Professional Group. The Concept of Taliban was created to promote false idea about Islam and blame the Islam & Muslim potential Terrorist.
- Posted by Ahsan NaqviThey are not a Muslim, Because Islam don’t give the Suicide Bomber Permission on Muslim, Masjid, Immam Bargha and all Innocent Peoples. They are Prepare Professional Group. The Concept of Taliban was created to promote false idea about Islam and blame the Islam & Muslim potential Terrorist.
talibaan are raw and mosad agent..
- Posted by RIZWAN AKHTARMohammed Anjum:
- Posted by rajeevMy last post was for you
@ We know that your intelligence is engaged in anti-Pakistan activities.”
-No evidence so far, as acknowledged by your Minister Mr. Kaira after the incamera meeting of all Pakistani politicians. He said that Paki will get concrete evidence about Indian involvement in helping Taliban. I say until then Shut up.
@In today’s conditions, I can go as far as liberating Kashmir at least as an independent nation. That will settle our scores for East Pakistan.”
-U must be out of ur mind to expect that India listens to your open statement of settling scores.
@But East Pakistan was separated by a “quick surgical action.”
-No, that was the slowest war in terms of build up because of pakistani elctions/E Pakistani winning jaority but not allowed to form govt, then the historry follows. It is in records that in Dec??. 1971, Pakistam launched pre-emptive airstrikes against India and then India responded. Go check history.
@ I do not deny that our ISI has its tentacles for proxy wars. …. weapon against bigger powers. ……And we are not going to give up that weapon.”
–All nations have spy agencies but few act like terrorist organization that ISI does. Keep this weapon to urself and do not openly flash in the air and hurt others, keep it for defense/national security not neibhours’ destruction.
@ I see many of your compatriots wishing for a disintegration of Pakistan in this very forum. If common public have such feelings, I can bet there are those in your leadership and military/intelligence units who have similar ideas and ambitions.”
–Think from their POV. Perhaps they are really angry and frustrated that they say that. Dawn coumnist Irfan Hussain has a nice article in Dawn about the need of Pakistani to understand Indian anger. Read that. Have u missed those majority Indians who say stability of Pakistan is good for India and vice-versa? Until now Indian leaders have been using diplomacy as tool and that has not been very effective. Pakistan whole populace cannot think from Indian POV that there is a genuine anger among Indians and that there is evidence to act against the terrorists who did Mumbai attack (also others) but Pakistan won’t. Taliban experince tells that Pakistan will not act until its bottom really is set on the fire.
@LeT can have whatever policy it wants. But they will settle for Kashmir.
- Posted by rajeev-LeT has a policy that Pakistan wants. LeT/Kasab types are pakistani blue eyed boys. Until they are not caught they are called freedom fighters and when caught called non-state actors/not true Muslims. It is really screwed up and I wonder how do Pakistanis take that in the name of Islam.
Mr. Rajeev,
If your country had been ideal in its values, never resorted to covert means to achieve its objectives in neighboring countries, you will have the moral high ground to advise me. You as an individual may not subscribe to your government’s policies. But East Pakistan was separated by a “quick surgical action.” Immediately you people mention genocide and refugee influx that prompted India to act. But there was no need to create Bangladesh. India could have returned East Pakistan back to Pakistan after defeating it. There is no denying that Pakistan lost that war. We have moved on. But we will settle the score when we can. Your country overtly trained Tamil rebels to destabilize Sri Lanka in the 1980s.
The point I am making is that your country also has indulged in activities to destabilize other nations in the neighborhood, when it suited its interests. Right now your objectives are different and so you believe India will not resort to such means. But that is now for the time being. I see many of your compatriots wishing for a disintegration of Pakistan in this very forum. If common public have such feelings, I can bet there are those in your leadership and military/intelligence units who have similar ideas and ambitions.
My point is this. We are willing to face your actions. We know that your intelligence is engaged in anti-Pakistan activities. All intelligence agencies do this. Kindly do not single out the ISI. I do not deny that our ISI has its tentacles for proxy wars. It has been tested and tried over the past three decades. It is a weapon against bigger powers. Ask the Soviets and they will tell you. And we are not going to give up that weapon. What we are facing now is due to a calculated risk that we have taken. These weapons can turn against you. Ask your IPKF and they will tell you. But we have the will power to handle them.
We will not give up this weapon until we get fair justice. Kashmir is ours and India took it by force. In today’s conditions, I can go as far as liberating Kashmir at least as an independent nation. That will settle our scores for East Pakistan. If India did not create Bangladesh, Kashmir will not be burning now. We have made sure that we cannot be stamped out anymore by developing nuclear weapons. So come to the negotiating table and discuss about either handing over Kashmir to us or letting them go as an independent nation.
Trust me, we can do this, while handling the Taliban. The US wants to finish them off and we are closing the gates on them. So it is only a short time. And we learn from our mistakes. We will figure out what mistakes were made and come out with better plans to protect our interests. Do not think that our only goal is to destabilize India. It is Kashmir that is the root cause of all issues between us. Settle it and we will go our own way. LeT can have whatever policy it wants. But they will settle for Kashmir.
- Posted by Mohammed Anjum