johnee
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Is a stable Pakistan in our interest?
- Thread starter johnee
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A burning pakistan is not in our interest...nobody wants the neighbourhood to burn..risking their own house.
But it would be good to see it simmering constantly...which is what is currently happening...so that they dont bother us...while they fight the sim fire.
But it would be good to see it simmering constantly...which is what is currently happening...so that they dont bother us...while they fight the sim fire.
pakistan is the anti-india. its based on the ideology that muslims and hindus cannot co-exist. whereas india is based on the ideology of secularism, co-existance, pluralism. thus a prosperous, successful pakistan undermines india and what it stands for.
its good to have pakistan in turmoil. But this we we also have the risk of a spillover of the conflict. That is what we need to worry about.
its good to have pakistan in turmoil. But this we we also have the risk of a spillover of the conflict. That is what we need to worry about.
I thought that I should post a recent survey conducted on Pakistani public opnion by a well known American institute. This should help in understanding that even in such a hostile anti-Indian environment being whipped up due to the siutation, what do the people of Pakistan think
http://www.iri.org/mena/pakistan/pd...stan_Public_Opinion_July_15-August_7_2009.pdf
Some interesting nuggets include
When asked to choose between a stable and prosperous Pakistan that was run by a military dictatorship or a democratic government that led to an unstable and insecure country, 75 percent selected the democratic option while 23 percent opted for the military.
When asked if they have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the nation of India, 41 percent said they have a favorable opinion and 54 percent said they have an unfavorable opinion, reflecting a four percent decline in favorability since March 2009.
However, when asked if they think it is a serious problem if extremists, such as Al-Qaeda and other terrorists groups use Pakistan as a base of operations to launch attacks against India and Afghanistan, an overwhelming 89 percent said it was a serious problem.
When asked how much control the civilian government should have over the military, 44 percent said total control, 40 percent said some and only 10 percent replied no control at all.
http://www.iri.org/mena/pakistan/pd...stan_Public_Opinion_July_15-August_7_2009.pdf
Some interesting nuggets include
When asked to choose between a stable and prosperous Pakistan that was run by a military dictatorship or a democratic government that led to an unstable and insecure country, 75 percent selected the democratic option while 23 percent opted for the military.
When asked if they have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the nation of India, 41 percent said they have a favorable opinion and 54 percent said they have an unfavorable opinion, reflecting a four percent decline in favorability since March 2009.
However, when asked if they think it is a serious problem if extremists, such as Al-Qaeda and other terrorists groups use Pakistan as a base of operations to launch attacks against India and Afghanistan, an overwhelming 89 percent said it was a serious problem.
When asked how much control the civilian government should have over the military, 44 percent said total control, 40 percent said some and only 10 percent replied no control at all.
^^^ So even in such a hostile situation we have close to 90% against any terrorist attacks against India, as well as close 90% saying that military should be in total or some civilian control. Moreover, a significant majority prefers a unstable democracy than a stable and prosperous military dictatorship! Also almost half still have a favorable view of India even after so much daily propaganda that India is behind this "destabilization" of Pakistan as well as Zia's indoctrination since the 80s against India.
And remember these are the results when India-Pakistan ties are at a new low, so if we have a DEMOCRATIC stable Pakistan that listens to its people, what would be the case? This is why it makes sense that supporting and making policy decisions to support a democratic stable Pakistan is not only in India's long term interests but also the general Pakistani population.
And remember these are the results when India-Pakistan ties are at a new low, so if we have a DEMOCRATIC stable Pakistan that listens to its people, what would be the case? This is why it makes sense that supporting and making policy decisions to support a democratic stable Pakistan is not only in India's long term interests but also the general Pakistani population.
