ISLAMABAD – Majority of Pakistanis prefer democracy over dictatorial rule in the country, a Gallup survey revealed.
According to a recent Gallup survey, despite the fact that corruption charges stick heavily in public perception, against the ruling Prime Minister, his family members as well as leaders in the opposition, the prospect of Martial law does not attract Pakistani majority.
63 percent of people rejected the idea of imposing Martial law, 28 percent said Martial law should be imposed. 9 percent either did not know or did not respond.
In another question to participants as to what would they choose between democracy and dictatorship, 84 percent responded in democracy’s favour while 16 percent of them supported dictatorship.
The survey was carried out among a sample of 1,800 men and women out of which 1,568 people expressed their opinion. Error margin is estimated to be approximately ± 2-3 per cent at 95% confidence level.
Unlike several other countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and even Europe no military rule sustained in Pakistan for over a decade. Military rule in Pakistan (1958) began alongside Egypt (few years earlier), Iraq (same year), Syria (few years later). But while none of them was able to return to pluralistic and competitive democracy to this day, Pakistan’s first military rule lasted for ten years (1958-68) and two successive martial laws (1922, 1999) were unable to outlast the duration of the first tenure.
But while none of them was able to return to pluralistic and competitive democracy to this day, Pakistan’s first military rule lasted for ten years (1958-68) and two successive martial laws (1922, 1999) were unable to outlast the duration of the first tenure.
