Islamabad, October 15, 2001

• 51% support Musharaf on his policy on current crisis.
• But 83% side with Taliban against America.

• Only 16% favour to let America use Pakistani air bases: Gallup Survey

According to the findings of a recent poll conducted by Gallup Pakistan the Pakistani public is undergoing a set of complex emotions. Around half of them, 51%, say they favour General Musharaf’s policy on the current crisis, which is substantially higher compared to three weeks ago when the level of support was only 32%. Furthermore, 37% think that he has handled his job on this issue in a very good or good way. But having said that 83% of Pakistanis say that in the conflict between America and Taliban, their sympathies are with the Taliban. 82% of them believe Osama Bin Laden is a “Mjuahid” and not a terrorist and only 12% believe that he was responsible for the attacks on USA. Quite importantly only 16% favour that Americans should be allowed to use air bases in Pakistan, 75% are opposed.

 The findings of this survey will also be published under a special arrangement by the international weekly Magazine “Newsweek” in its forthcoming issue.

 The survey revealed an apprehension on the part of a sizable number of Pakistanis that after its action gets underway in Afghanistan, America may start similar action in Kashmir. Nearly 6 out of 10 Pakistanis believed that the chances of this happening were either very high, a view held by 17% or some chances, a view held by 42%. Only 41% ruled out such a possibility.

 Pakistani public opinion is divided on whether the aid promised by America would help solve the nation’s economic problems. While 59% believe it would be useful, 38% think it would be harmful; 3% did not give a view. But most people are pessimistic about the unfolding economic scenario and believe that the national economy will be worse off in the aftermalth of the crisis, a view held by 54%. Only 22% believed it would improve, while 24% think it would remain the same.

 According to the survey 64% of Pakistanis believed that the attack on USA on September 11 was a terrorist attack and not Jihad. It is also notable that one third, or 34% of the respondents were of the view that Osama Bin Laden should present himself before a court of law for trial, while 57% disfavoured this idea.

 The survey was conducted by Gallup Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International.

Majority favours his policy and approves his handling of the Crisis. But most people favour positions which may seem to be at variance with his.

Question 1: Some people agree with General Musharaf’s policy of cooperation with the United States (on the current crisis). Others disagree. What is your view?

        Agree         51%
        Disagree      41%
        Don’t know 8%

Question 10: Would you consider President Musharaf’s performance on the current conflict between America and Afghanistan as good or bad?

        Very good  17%
        Good          20%
        Just Ok       42%
        Bad            14%
        Very bad      7%

Question 7: Some people believe that America should be given the permission to use Pakistani airfields. Others oppose it. What is your view?

        Favour permission          16%
        Oppose permission         75%
        Don’t know                       9%

Question 8:  Some people believe America should be permitted to carry out commando (special troop) action from Pakistani soil. Others oppose it. What is your view?

       Favour permission        14%
       Oppose permission       77%
       Don’t know                     9%

Taliban

Majority is sympathetic to Taliban in their conflict with America.

Question 2:  On the conflict between America and Taliban, some people have their sympathies with Taliban others with America. Which side do you sympathise with?

        Taliban        83%
        America        3%
        Neither        14%

PAKISTAN
Economic Well Being and Kashmir

Views are divided on whether the aid which America is promising will bring real economic relief to the country. There is some cautious optimism about aid prospects, combined with fears of a negative economic fall out of the current crisis.

A sizeable number fear that after Afghanistan America may launch an anti terrorist action in Kashmir.

Question 5:  America has promised to give economic aid to Pakistan. In your view will this aid be useful or harmful for Pakistan?

        Very useful                   22%
        Somewhat useful         37%
        Somewhat harmful      24%
        Very harmful                14%
        No Response                  3%

Question 6:  In your view will the economic situation in Pakistan improve deteriorate or remain the same in the aftermath of attack in USA and current crisis?

        Improve                        22%
        Deteriorate                   54%
        Remain the same         24%

Question 9:  some people believe that after carrying out its action in Afghanistan America will conduct an action in Kashmir. In your view what are the chances of that happening?

        Very high chance         17%
        Some chance              42%
        None chance                41%

Osama Bin Ladan and Terrorism

Only a small number believe that Osma was responsible for the attack on America.

A majority believes Osama is not a terrorist but a Mujahid.

However a majority thinks that the attack on America was terrorism and not Jihad.

A sizeable number of people favour the view that Osama should present himself for trial before a court of law.

Question 3:  Who in your view is responsible for the attack on USA?

        Osama Bin Laden         12%
        Palestinians  5%
        Israel         48% 
        Some American group 25% 
        Others        10%

  Question 4:  Some people call Osama Bin Laden a “Mujahid”. Others call him a “Terrorist”. What is your view? 

        Mujahid       82%
        Terrorist        6%
        Don’t know  12%

  Question 11: Some people say Osama Bin Laden should now present himself before a court of law. Do you favour or oppose this view?

        Favour his appearance at a court of law    34%
        Oppose it      57% 
        Don’t know      9%

Question 12: Some people believe that the attack on America was a Jihad. Others believe it was terrorism. What is your view?

        Jihad         24%
        Terrorism    64% 
        Don’t know 12%

Sample Composition

The sample comprised 978 men and women age 18+. They were statistically selected from the urban areas of all the four provinces of Pakistan including Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi/Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta. The sample comprised a cross section of various ages and socio-economic groups in the urban areas of the country. The error margin for a sample of this kind is + 3-4% at 95% confidence level. Gallup Pakistan is the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International. It is Pakistan’s most reputable polling organization. For more details on Gallup Pakistan

Source: Gallup Pakistan