Poll Shows Narrow Majority of Pakistanis Support Waziristan War

A poll conducted by Gallup Pakistan shows a narrow majority, 51 percent, of all Pakistanis support the ongoing military action in South Waziristan. Though this will likely be of some relief to Pakistan’s increasingly isolated government, the poll gives them little reason to celebrate.

The poll also shows that only 25 percent of Pakistanis believe the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is actually to blame for the situation leading to the military conflict, with the bulk of the population pointing the finger at either the US or their own government. Only about a third of Pakistanis, 36 percent, believe the war will bring peace to the area.

Pakistanis have expressed a growing criticism of the conflicts as they have taken an increasing toll not just on the tribal areas but on the nation’s interior as well. It seems though that a majority (albeit a slim one) isn’t yet ready to abandon the government’s calls for war.