Pak public against using foreign troops to combat militants

Pakistanis show 'weak support' for using force against Islamic militants and overwhelmingly oppose allowing foreign forces to combat Taliban or al Qaeda elements in the country, says a new survey.

Pakistanis show 8220;weak support8221; for using force against Islamic militants and overwhelmingly oppose allowing foreign forces to combat Taliban or al Qaeda elements in the country, says a new survey.

Forty-four per cent of urban respondents favoured sending the Pakistan Army to the northwestern tribal areas to 8220;pursue and capture al Qaeda fighters8221; while only 48 per cent would allow the army to act against 8220;Taliban insurgents who have crossed over from Afghanistan8221;, according to the survey by WorldPublicOpinion.org.

In both cases, about a third opposed military action and a fifth declined to answer.

Less than a third of those surveyed expressed support for President Pervez Musharraf or former Prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

Asked who is the best person to lead Pakistan, Musharraf was cited by only 21 per cent. Bhutto, who was forced out of office in 1996 amid allegations of corruption, was seen as the best to lead by only 27 per cent. Sharif, who was toppled by Musharraf in 1999, was seen as the best leader by 21 per cent.

The issue of permitting foreign troops to attack al Qaeda on Pakistani territory was rejected overwhelmingly, with four out of five 80 per cent saying the government should not allow US or other foreign troops to enter Pakistan to pursue and capture al Qaeda fighters.

Three out of four 77 per cent opposed allowing foreign troops to attack Taliban insurgents based in Pakistan.

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A total of 907 Pakistanis participated in the poll conducted in urban areas during September 12-28. The findings also revealed that a majority of urban Pakistanis believed the government8217;s decision to attack militants in the Lal Masjid in Islamabad in July was a mistake.

Nearly two out of three respondents 64 per cent said the raid was a 8220;mistake8221; while only 22 per cent said they supported the decision.

Sixty per cent believed that Shariat or Islamic law should play a 8220;larger role in Pakistan law8221; than it does now. Only 26 per cent said it should play the same role 15 per cent or a smaller role 11 per cent while 15 per cent did not answer.

Asked whether the Pakistan Army should enter the Federally Administered Tribal Areas to 8220;pursue and capture al Qaeda fighters8221;, Pakistanis said it should, but by only a narrow 44 per cent to 36 per cent margin. Large numbers 20 per cent declined to answer.

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Support for allowing the Pakistan military to attack Taliban insurgents in the region also was thin, the organisation said. Asked about 8220;allowing the Pakistani army to pursue and capture Taliban insurgents who have crossed over from Afghanistan8221;, respondents supported such action by only 48 per cent to 34 per cent. Another 18 per cent did not answer.

The survey was conducted before the deadly suicide attack on Bhutto8217;s homecoming rally on October 19 that killed nearly 140 people and injured hundreds.