November 21, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in the United States want their government to cut off monetary assistance provided to Pakistan until a state of emergency is lifted and democracy is restored in that country, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 50 per cent of respondents share this view, while 34 per cent disagree.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in the United States want their government to cut off monetary assistance provided to Pakistan until a state of emergency is lifted and democracy is restored in that country, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 50 per cent of respondents share this view, while 34 per cent disagree.

In October 1999, Pervez Musharraf led a military coup to depose then Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Two years later, Musharraf assumed the presidency. An April 2002 referendum—where less than 30 per cent of eligible voters participated—extended his term until October 2007.

On Nov. 3, Musharraf declared a state of emergency claiming the country’s judges were incurring in "activism" and saying he needed special tools to deal with growing Islamic militancy. The measure was condemned by the U.S. government, which called for the restoration of democracy and urged Musharraf to maintain his promise of holding elections next year and step down as army chief.

On Nov. 16, Pakistani opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto said Washington should threaten to cut aid to Pakistan to press it to restore democracy, declaring, "I would like to see aid used as a leverage to influence General Musharraf as well as the armed forces. (...) They’re benefiting from the immense international assistance that is coming into Pakistan."

The U.S has provided Pakistan with $10.59 billion U.S. in military, economic and development aid since Sept. 11, 2001, when Musharraf became an ally of Washington before the start of the war on terrorism.

Yesterday, Pakistan’s Election Commission announced that the legislative election has been scheduled for Jan. 8, 2008.

Polling Data

Do you think the United States should cut off aid to Pakistan until the state of emergency is lifted and democracy is restored?

Should	50%
Should not	34%
Don’t know	16%

Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 900 registered American voters, conducted on Nov. 13 and Nov. 14, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.