Most Pakistanis support military action in Waziristan: Poll
Islamabad: A majority of Pakistanis
support the military action against the Taliban in the lawless
South Waziristan tribal region while only 13 percent are
against the offensive, according to a new survey.
The poll conducted during the last week of October by
Gallup Pakistan showed 51 per cent of Pakistanis backed the
military operation while a significant 36 per cent were
"unsure".
Only 25 per cent blamed the Taliban for the launching
of the operation while 35 percent and 31 percent
respectively held the US and Pakistan's own government
responsible.
Eight per cent blamed the Pakistan Army while one per
cent gave no response.
Replying to a question about the effectiveness of the
operation, 36 percent were hopeful it would bring peace, 37
per cent believed it would worsen the situation and 27 percent said they were unsure.
Asked as to whose war it was, 37 percent said it was
Pakistan's own war, 39 percent believed it was America's war
while 22 percent though both Pakistan and the US have shared
interests in the war.
According to the survey, there was cautious support
in Pakistani public opinion for the military action underway
in South Waziristan.
Gallup Pakistan said the sharpest change from
previous surveys was on the question of whose war it was.
Public opinion was still divided on the issue but
many more considered it to be Pakistan's own war compared to a
year ago.
In 2008, only 23 percent considered military action
in the northwest to be Pakistan's own war.
The survey covered a sample of over 2,700 men and
women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of
Pakistan.
Bureau Report