Corruption, Deficient Rule of Law and Ruling Elite, the Biggest Threats to Pakistan

As many as 85 percent of the Pakistanis polled by the Centre for Research and Security Studies believe that the biggest threat to Pakistan comes from ‘corruption and deficient rule of law,’and the ruling elite. Some 63 percent pointed to corruption and deficient rule of law while nearly 22 percent considered ‘the ruling elite (politicians, landed aristocracy, army and bureaucrats)’ as the biggest threat to the country, followed by roughly 12 percent for whom Al Qaeda andTaliban constitute the biggest threat to Pakistan.

Interestingly, less than three percent view the United States as the biggest threat, while not even one percent (0.48) percent look at India as the biggest threat. Spread over about two weeks (July 18 ´ Aug 1^st), the CRSS Facebook Fan Page pollattracted about 414 responses to the question as to whom among

oAl Qaeda and Taliban

oCorruption and Deficient Rule of Law

oIndia

oThe Ruling Elite (Politicians, Landed Aristocracy, Army, Bureaucracy)

oUSA,

constituted the biggest threat to Pakistan. The votes were cast by the CRSS page followers as well as the friends added with the page Administrators.

Although not representative for the entire Pakistani population, the responses dounderscore that almost all educated Pakistanis, particularly all those familiar with the FACEBOOK and Internet, have a very informed and logical analysis of the prevailing situation by pointing tocorruption, deficient rule of law, and the ruling elite (the collective percentage for both stands at a staggering 85 percent).

(Facebook Poll Snapshot)

Link: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=question&id=232177113482903

CRSS Page Link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Research-and-Security-Studies/163670947000187

The Poll:

Following are the details of the CRSS-Facebook Poll:

The question asked in the poll was:

What is the biggest threat to Pakistan?

In 2 weeks, the poll received a total of414votes whereas 45 people ‘followed’ the poll to monitor the results.Link:https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=question&id=232177113482903

CRSS Page Link:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Research-and-Security-Studies/163670947000187

Results:

Following were the results of the poll:

Percent Ratio:

Diagrammatic Representation:

Analysis:

This poll, conducted on facebook can–t be generalized for the entire population of Pakistan, yet it gives us glimpse of how literate and educated sections of the Pakistani society think. The results show that a majority, approximately 63%, of internet users (including the Youth) regard corruption and deficient rule of law as the biggest threat to Pakistan. This explains the fact that corruption of the ruling elite tops the problems that Pakistan faces today. On the other hand, the much hyped Taliban, USA, and India received votes in minority.