ISLAMABAD, October 17 (PNS): An overwhelming majority of Pakistanis have backed Government's decision to join the international coalition against terrorism while there is complete national consensus that the kind of state terrorism in the Occupied Kashmir and Palestine should be included in the definition of terrorism.
The verdict was given by a large number of people representing different walks of life in a nation-wide survey conducted by the daily " Pakistan Observer" to elicit public opinion on the current volatile situation.
For this purpose, the daily published a questionnaire for consecutive four days from October 10 to 13. It was also made available on the Internet site as a result of which a substantial number of foreigners (from different countries) also participated in the survey and e-mailed their replies to the newspaper.
The respondents number 6322 included ordinary citizens, students, teachers, workers, members of political and religious parties/organisations, intellectuals, strategists, scholars, former diplomats and former bureaucrats.
Analysis of the survey, carried out by a team of experts, shows that 78% Pakistanis fully support the decision taken by the President, General Pervez Musharraf to align the country with the global coalition against terrorism.
As a column was also provided for offering comments, those who favoured the decision termed the strategy adopted by the Government as best in the given circumstances. They agreed that the decision would help safeguard our national interests including strategic assets and Kashmir cause.
However, 22% people, majority of whom belonging to religion-political parties/groups, students and Ulema strongly opposed the policy of the government. They were of the view that the support to the non-believers was violative of the Islamic injunctions and the decision would alienate the friendly segment of the Afghan population.
Almost all foreigners who took part in the opinion poll have appreciated the fact that Pakistan is extending support in efforts to deal with the "menace" of terrorism.
Proportion of the respondents was almost similar to the question whether Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to save Afghanistan from attack were sufficient and timely. Those saying "Yes" pointed out that Pakistan made desperate attempts after September 11 to avoid catastrophe for the Afghans whereas some of those saying "No" were of the view that Pakistan did not make enough diplomatic efforts to prevent war.
The survey showed that 100% Pakistanis fully appreciate the fact legitimate freedom struggles are going on in Occupied Kashmir and Palestine and the state terrorism let loose by India and Israel to crush these movements should be included in the definition of terrorism.
They unanimously agreed that New Delhi and Tel Aviv should be tried in the International Court of Justice for their atrocities against Kashmiris and Palestinians. Many of them suggested that Pakistan, along with other Muslim countries, should launch diplomatic offensive to sensitise the world opinion on these two issues.
Those who believed that in the face of India offering to lend all-out support to the US, Pakistan had no option but to joint the coalition constituted 78% exactly the same number as in the case of first question relating to decision to support the global coalition.
The opponents however hold the view that no matter what India's policy was, Pakistan must not have aligned itself with the coalition against Afghanistan. A teacher remarked "Wake up to the inherent dangers of aligning with the so-called civilised world". "Allah's wrath will fall upon us for supporting "Kafirs" against Muslims, commented Muhammad Ibrahim, a student of a religious institution.
The survey revels that about 65% people favour Pakistan sharing information use of airspace and logistic support to the coalition but there was a unanimous "No" to the question relating to the use territory for attacks against Afghanistan.
All those supporting 3-point assistance already committed by Pakistan qualified their support by declaring that under no circumstance Pakistan should allow its territory to be used for any hostile action against the neighbouring Afghans. They demanded that Pakistan to strictly adhere to the three point framework. End.
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