(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Opposition to collaborating with the United States on its war on terror has grown significantly in Pakistan, according to a poll by the International Republican Institute. 80 per cent of respondents say Pakistan should not cooperate with the U.S. in this matter, up 19 points since March.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Opposition to collaborating with the United States on its war on terror has grown significantly in Pakistan, according to a poll by the International Republican Institute. 80 per cent of respondents say Pakistan should not cooperate with the U.S. in this matter, up 19 points since March.
Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden without evidence of his participation in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.
Pakistan is an ally in the U.S.-led war on terror in Afghanistan. Washington has given close to $10.5 billion U.S. in military and economic aid to Pakistan since 2002.
The U.S. Congress has recently demanded Pakistan to demonstrate that it is fighting extremists as a condition for receiving an approved $7.5 billion U.S. package over a five-year period. American lawmakers are also requesting proof that Pakistan’s military is controlled by the civilian government.
On Oct. 5, Pakistani prime minister Asif Ali Zardari urged fellow members of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to support the U.S. aid package in the legislature, declaring, "The bill acknowledges Pakistan as a critical friend and ally and also the profound sacrifices it has made in the war on terror."
Polling Data
Do you think that Pakistan should cooperate with the United States on its war against terror?
|
|
Sept. 2009 |
Mar. 2009 |
Oct. 2008 |
|
Yes |
18% |
37% |
28% |
|
No |
80% |
61% |
63% |
|
Not sure |
3% |
2% |
9% |
Source: International Republican Institute
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 4,900 Pakistani adults, conducted from Jul. 15 to Aug. 7, 2009. Margin of error is 1.41 per cent.
