Iran, Pakistan, Israel most negatively rated countries: BBC poll
Citizens of 22 countries were interviewed face-to-face or by telephone between December 6, 2011 and February 17, 2012. Polling was conducted by the international polling firm GlobeScan and its research partners in each country, together with the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland.
Pakistan was rated “mostly negative” by 51% of the respondents, getting placed just one spot above the most negatively rated country – Iran, which was rated negative by 55% of the total respondents.
According to the poll results, Pakistan is the only country which rated its own influence as negative.
A negative view of Pakistan declined by 4% as compared to 2011.
The survey results revealed that a negative view of Pakistan was found mostly in Western countries. Around 75% Americans, 69% Canadians and 72% Australians said Pakistan’s influence in the world is mainly negative. The pattern of negative perception was similar in the European countries. The view of Pakistan by India, country’s all-time arch rival, was negative as well.
Most of the respondents blamed Pakistan’s foreign policy and the poor treatment of its citizens for such a widespread negative perception of the country.
Out of 22 countries that were surveyed, Indonesia is the only one which holds a positive view of Pakistan.
Other findings
Japan was rated most positively by the majority of the respondents (58%), taking Germany’s last year position which had its positive ratings drop from 60% to 56%. This placed Germany in second place behind Japan.
Canada (53%) and the UK (51%) are the third and fourth most positively viewed countries.
China’s positive ratings rose from 46% to 50% this year.
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I think the difference between Pakistan , Iran and Israel is that The people of Israel anf Iran are living happy, and they are rich countries with excellent standard of living. The world see them negatively because of there weapons. But Pakistan reason are its people.
This poll is really a compliment to Iran and Pakistan. They are not minion poodles to the West. Therefore, they get very bad reporting from Western media at all levels, and I think most people know who controls the world media? Israel is in a different category from Iran and Pakistan, as a disliked country, and seems to go out of its way to upset people. On a plus side I am surprised the BBC allowed Israel to be included. The BBC usually obviates bad news about Britain, America and Israel. It was probably a bad error by somebody in the BBC.
Pooonkaaaaaaa, PAKISTAN I LOVE YOU REALLY <3
Survey shows that how the international media is interested in showing only the negativity of Pakistan? No matter how we are being imaged by other countries but,we should analyse about our country ourself that what is the reason of the disliking and must be resolved internally than probably soon we will get improvement of our country and the good image in the world will arise.
I have my doubts as to the accuracy and.or efficacy of the BBC poll. Pakistan may be dumb, as indicated by the poll, but I do not think dumb enough to swap Pakistan for the massively irradiated Japanese Honshu island, which is lurching from one health/economic disaster to another. I think I will stick with Pakistan, faults and all, unless the Government decides to build nuclear electricity plants on a coastal fault line subject to tsunamis. That is what I call dumb.
@Riaz Haq: In general, due to the poor quality of education in Pakistan the smart students are desperate to get quality education anywhere in the world. There are just a handful of quality educational institutes in Pakistan. 90% of the educational institutes in Pakistan are useless.
FDI in Pakistan rose to $5.4 billion in 2007-2008. Rising FDI during Musharraf years helped create over 2 million jobs a year, boosted economic growth & reduced poverty. In addition to high visa denial rates for Pakistanis, one of the impacts of negative perception survey ranking Pakistan as the second worst is that it has badly affected FDI as well, hitting another low recently.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2010/03/pakistans-economy-review-2008-2010.html
The growing number of Pakistani students studying abroad shows how determined young Pakistanis are to pursue higher education in the face of such bigoted negative propaganda by the Western governments and media targeting Muslim nations like Iran & Pakistan.
http://www.riazhaq.com/2012/05/pak-students-buck-decline-in-australia.html
Thanks to their hate spewing media who shows only the negativity emanating out of Pakistan
Dear All: This is the beauty of surveys "You do not have to eat the whole cow to say that the meat is tough". Surveys done properly are very accurate and very close to reality. You have to pick the people RANDOMLY.
In this case the countries and the people in those countries were picked randomly and therefore represent all the people. You do not have to ask every human being to find out the negative rating of a country.
In terms Pakistan and Iran definitely there is no doubt
Interesting response comments on the survery.
Who Cares (94) recommendations. What a Shame (109) recommendations.
Something to ponder upon!
A Peshawary
@Zamir Malik: One mournful thing is observed here that Pakistan is 2Nd most negatively influenced by western countries no matter our government is following their government
s every demand.Now its media`s role to make good image before the world.One mournful thing is observed here that Pakistan is 2Nd most negatively influenced in the survey by most of the western countries,here we ask form the ruler of the Pakistan though you follow the every demand of them but have a look on the survey why our country is being disliked what is the benefit you are following them as obedient child.Now media has to play an effective role for the improved image of Pakistan to the world.
@Zamir Malik: We don't have problem with Pakistan.. our problem lies with its corrupt politicians
Why only 22 countries hold for poll??
These surveys cannot be fully relied upon as nothing can fully describe reality.
Although I am a strong critic of army rule, but one wonders how Pakistan was doing during the Musharraf era and how within just 4 years of PPP's civilian rule took us to the bottom of every list. Mankind has never witnessed such an inapt and corrupt government of crooks and criminals imposed on us by USA.
Anyone with a portion of common sense would take these polls with a pinch of salt. They aren't representative of the broad public. The UN comprises 193 member states and we are 7 billions. Some 24,090 people from 22 countries were interviewed! Which countries by the way?
well we are the only country whose citizens rated itself as negative, then what do you expect from these polls? According to polls Indonesia rated Pakistan positive than Pakistanis themselves. We as a nation started not to believe itself, when we dont portray ourselves positive, what message we send to the world? Its also failure of Pakistani media who is only projecting all negetive about Pakistan. Postive things for them are not worthy. Its also failure of Pakistan foreign office and diplomats who failed to counter negetive perceoption of the country. A country after loosing 100000 people to war in terror, still considered negetive then there is something wrong with our state and private media along with failed diplomativ missions.
Dear Ilyas,
Can you let me know who conducts these surveys and where?
I hope you answer my question. :)
Thank you
Regards,
Tamoor Haider
Amjad : Why INdia. The remark was about Pak and nukes. And the negative opinion is about Pak. not India. Get over your obsession with India.
@Char Latan: Ask India how many nukes it will take to love India. They started the nuclear arms race in South Asia by taking Canadian foreign aid and diverting it to military use.
This is biased definitely. Of course Israel should be on top of the list as being the most negatively rated!
What you rate of a country where even players refuse to come and play, no foreign investments, no foreign tourists, no electricity, no secure life, full of beards and threats, even its own non-resident citizens feel shame to identify themselves as PAKISTANIS.
Polls can be fixed!! :/
@Ahsan Rizvi: if u read properly u will understand that the survey included people of three countries with largest muslim population,india, pakistan and indonasia
As soon as PM. Gillani, heard this news in the cabinet meeting, he discloses his plan to be the richest country in the world , so the people will not vote negative.
He Just orderd... " PRINT MORE CURRENCY , TILL WE WILL BE THE RICHEST COUNTRY.".
@leila rage:
If one goes through the entire report, you find that UK and Australia hate Pakistan more than India does!!
Fighter : "Pakistanis in western countries contribute at highest levels, the top medical, engineering and IT professionals in USA and UK are mostly Pakistanis. " DO u mean Pakistani cab drivers in US and UK are over qualified ???
Fighter : How about closure of NATO routes?? Again.
@Fighter: pak in western countries contribute at the highest level the top medical,engineering,and IT professionals are from pak ha ha ha.......... have u lost your mind.where did u get this info ?
@Ameer: and still you read it ha ha ha..........
@Fighter: Pakistanis in western countries contribute at highest levels, the top medical, engineering and IT professionals in USA and UK are mostly Pakistanis. You must be kidding. Where you got this figure. I am in US & in high tech industry from last 28 year.
The statement below the picture reads - Pakistan is the only country which rated its own influence as negative, stated poll results. Sincerity.... Good for Pakistan...
This is the biggest injustice with Pakistanis. The world is jealous against our greatness. In an international conspiracy our number one position has been awarded to Iran, what a shame and bias against us. It just makes me so mad that they all are against our progress and power.
@Mudassar: USA is on 8th position. Check the list before you comment.
What is more enlightening is the top 2 countries on the list (Japan and Germany) were the ones who were after to dominate the world in the second world war. Consequently they lost the war so badly that a part of one country (Japan) was decimated by a nuclear bomb and another was broken into two. Now these country have learnt their lessons and results are for everyone to see....
@Ameer: Who cares! No one gives a heck about these surveys. Proves what? It proves that people will continue to be dumb even if you provide them research data apparently because they don't question themselves as to why this is happening...
Well, Pakistan has beaten North Korea once again. Even in the failed index Pakistan is ranked 12th, while North Korea is ranked somewhere in the 20s.
@Pathan: A poll in the Arab states will indeed produce different results. But such a poll will be irrelevant because the Arab states have no say in the world. They do not decide the fate of nations. The West, unfortunately, does.
Was a regular listener to BBC for years,however lately their level seems to have dipped to new lows.*Maybe they are trying to bring in sensational reporting like the discredted and now banned paper "News of the world" BTW Express Tribune did not copy the full article as it shows kashmir within the boundaries of India Another low from BBC.
BBC, same channel which lied about Iraqi WMD.
@ Pathan In stead of thinking broadly to extend the survey to the whole World, why do you want to limit it to few countries? To get a false sense of satisfaction only!strong text
Whether u guys like it or not, this kind of opinions will tilt their govts against aid to Pakistan. If your "Jugular vein" is cut or clogged, think about your position.
@leila rage: yup, blame the immigrants. what foolish perception !!
I think Pakistan should protest the results of the survey diplomatically at highest level. This is nothing more than a vilification attempt. I think we should request our brothers and sisters from USA and UK to return to Pakistan and only and only then will they learn how important are Pakistanis to run their medical and engineering industry. Pakistanis in western countries contribute at highest levels, the top medical, engineering and IT professionals in USA and UK are mostly Pakistanis.
@Pathan: Outside of Pakistan, the US and UK is relatively popular in south asia, it is also relatively popular in sub Saharan Africa.
@Char Latan: Bravo !! a succinct comment !!
@zainy: China, Indonesia, Egypt, and Pakistan were all polled. They are generally going after large countries in the poll.
@Ameer: As long as "no-one" is limited to Pakistanis, well then you may be correct. But if you consider your country part of this world then you simply cannot ignore the views of remaining 6.8 billion(7-0.2) people on earth.
and the common denominator in these three states? All three are theocratic states.
The difference in the rankings between the number one Japan and our India seems big. We must strive harder and harder to reduce it!
The detailed report is quite insightful - for instance, the fact that the Chinese see India and Pakistan at pretty much the same level despite the Pakistan's obvious adulation for China vs India's thinly disguised suspicion. It is also interesting to note that Indians have no strong likes or dislikes - hardly any scores in the higher 40s and above - even our opinion of Pakistan is far less negative than in most of the Western countries.
Interestingly...detailed survey showed that only 15 Pakistanis had been given oppurtunity in this survey... Shame on you bbc And big shame on ET their tout for publishing this news
The detailed report is quite insightful - for instance, the fact that the Chinese see India and Pakistan at pretty much the same level despite the Pakistan's obvious adulation for China vs India's thinly disguised suspicion. It is also interesting to note that Indians have no strong likes or dislikes - hardly any scores in the higher 40s and above - even our opinion of Pakistan is far less negative than in most of the Western countries.
Being rated lower than North Korea says it all.
I believed that until i saw North Korea having better rating than us. Mega LOL
@Pungi:
The survey WAS conducted in many of the nations you listed including Egypt, Indonesia, and China.
@ali:
Outside of the Muslim world the US is viewed very positively for its innovation, contribution to the sciences, hollywood, etc. Just because Pakistanis do not like the us does not mean everyone else does not.
@Rehaan Javaid Qureshi: You know nothing of Japan at that time. What they are today and what they were back then are worlds apart. I have no issues with Japan in the current day setting and even like them. Many of the things I enjoy come from Japan. They were monsters back then. Outsource for your history learning supplies. You might not look so dumb in the future. That aside... Am I wrong in seeing that it's actually North Korea that's rated worse than Israel so this title is actually incorrect? I don't care if people want to knock Israel, really. But when the chart is staring you in the face it seems a little foolish to bend it. It's still rated terribly, there's no denying that.
Sorry guys. Sample selection bias :p
Just carry out this survey in Middle east, Central and South Asia and Africa, you will have US and UK the most negatively deemed countries in the world.
BBC is biased btw. you tune into bbc world and all you see is them moaning about chinas ever growing economy, broadcasting terrorism in this region, or highlighting the arab uprising. They simply exaggerate. I dont see any pro paki countries here. Where is saudia,UAE,turkey,libya, egypt, indonesia,malaysia in this poll ? Its like asking ur enemies what they think about you and expecting a positive response. Used give a look at the compositon of the polled countries atleast.
OMG I am surprised at this poll. I was under the impression, we had surplus trade economy with CHINA, super awesome army who told bin laden stay away and all and India is all like Somalia, no economy and all. I was all like bollywood scks and lollywood rocks. Then this poll comes.....ah shcks.... I am just fkng with you guys.
and 22 countries dont make up the world. There are around 222 countries in the world for Gods sake
where did somalia kenya uganda go?
....and after our Prime Ministers interview on CNN with Becky Anderson we must have taken the bottom slot.
It's interesting that Iran was the lowest. I guess that's because they are disliked in both the western world and the Arab world.
The one that's really puzzling though, is why did South Korea score so low, economically and culturally they're nearly identical to Japan.
@Anwar Hasan: Couldn't agree more!
@Rehaan Javaid Qureshi: Please clear up your mind and think before you make such comments rather than listening to other thoughtless people's opinions. USA wants oil like any other country. But it wants to maintain peace which is non-existent in middle-east. Have you seen it meddling with other countries (Muslim included) that are peaceful? Indonesia has the highest population of Muslims! US has nothing to gain from Pakistan. All it wants is peace and no terrorism.
While Pakistanis' own rating about their homeland is unwarranted. When day in and day out, only bad news about this land was mentioned and fed by the media, it's not hard to see why Pakistanis themselves view their land in half-empty glass lens.
The above poll is merely a view of 22 nations and those countries' views are shaped by what they hear about Pakistan from the narratives fed to them by their own media. If day in and day out, all they hear is bomb blast in Pakistan, could one blame them?
If more Muslim countries are polled, do you think USA has any chance to be in its current place? People of Pakistan have said many times, the anger is toward the goverment and not the people.
I doubt any of these nations polled has heard about Pakistan's hospitality, kindness and remarkable generosity. How could they? That's not news worthy.
@Sani "How about the negative ratings view of Pakistanis, Afghanis, Iranian, Iraqis, Moroccons, Palestinians against US, UK and France?"
I think the Afghans, Iranians, Iraqis, Moroccans and Palestinians view said countries in a positive light because they know the truth. It is the Pakistanis that are in denial and brainwashed into thinking that western nations are evil and scheming to annihilate Muslims.
It's not as bad as some people are trying to make it is. There are positives to take from this servey. For a start we have drawn parity (almost) with Israel (not a mean job); then we are better than Iran and then we are sitting next to our brother North Korea (talk about friendship).
@asad: Are you for real? When will we wake up and accept the reality. This is the reality! Don't run away from it by making useless excuses. Have you gone outside of Pakistan and met people from other backgrounds? This is the perception of Pakistan and I don't disagree with it at all being a Pakistani.
@leila rage,
So Pakistanis hate these countries because of who they are and not what they did to Pakistan? Why do you think EU is rated the lowest among Pakistanis? Because these civilized bunch is such a good people and Pakistanis hate them because they hate "free-dum"?
@leila rage
A point to ponder! Perceptive observation indeed.
@asad
Would you please elaborate on who exactly these XYZ lobbies are? Surely, it can't be Indian, Israeli or US lobby? At least Israel would not have been in the bottom four if it was one of them.
Some people don't want to learn nor accept the truth. It is the fact and nothing new has come from the survey.
@Ameer: When your talented cousin is overlooked for a top job in Britain for some not-so-talented Eastern European.,just because of his nationality...
Then he will care...
@Ameer: If no one cares why are you bothering to comment?
Pakistan's name is Fair enough
@Ameer: "Who cares! No one gives a heck about these surveys. Proves what?"
You do not conduct trade and diplomacy in a vacuum. Perception and credibility is everything in the real world.
"No one likes us ; we dont care"!!
This sucks!
@Ameer: "Who cares! No one gives a heck about these surveys. Proves what?"
Proves that the world has a very low opinion of the listed countries. Ofcourse you can ignore it like people have ignored terrorists walking unmolested in Pakistan. No problem!
Did anyone notice that the countries that mainly thought pakistan was 'negative' are the countries with MOST pakistani immigrants? Its GREAT to see how our people like to move abroad and then with their AMAZING character and behaviour spread such GOOD images of pakistan.
At least the people in 'negative' Pakistan , are honest about aqknowleding the 'negative influence' their country exerts.
I would certainly like to have similar kinda survey in Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, Indonesia, China, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Egypt, Malaysia & other such nations..!
Yes Yes... We have our own people who have negative point of view of Pakistan & these all are so called liberals whose mind is so much westernized that even if the west slaughters innocents it is "War AGAINST Terrorism" & if Pakistanis even protest against this genocide "They are terrorists" only bcoz they have beards..! but certainly its better to b such kinda terrorist...& v have hope for the peace bcoz if our liberals have gone insane there still r few sane voices in the world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReAU6oTr0OY
Shows world bias towards Pakistan!
The negative influence of India in Kashmir is far more a grave and serious matter.
If such a survey is carried about USA in Iran, Pakistan or North Korea the result will be opposite.
The credibility of these surveys are not reliable because if BBC conduct a survey in Muslim countries than USA and UK will be at the bottom of the list and even if they conduct a survey about the media outlet than BBC will find themselves at the bottom of the long list of channels provided if the survey is conducted either in Muslim world or any other any imperialist country.
Our rating shows where we stand in the world. This rating affects our trade, industry, health, education, import, export, our financial situation and our tourism industry. Countries on the bottom of this list cannot progress because of the bad image..
This is the reason why our beloved Prime Minister said to the one-third Pakistanis who want to leave the country "who is stopping them from leaving". With a rating like this Mr. Gillani knew no country would like to take us and we will be stuck here for the rest of our lives.
We do not care about these surveys because we are illiterates. As illiterate as we were a thousand years ago.While the world has progressed and reached the sky, the bottom three countries are still in the pits. For us it really does not matter weather we are at the top or bottom of the ratings because we have no self esteem.
There will always be some country at the bottom of the rating. Unfortunately for the next 10-20 years Pakistan is sure to be there.
How about the negative ratings view of Pakistanis, Afghanis, Iranian, Iraqis, Moroccons, Palestinians against US, UK and France?
wake up call for Pakistan i guess. we need to remove terror promoting organizations urgently, otherwise we're becoming isolated nation day by day.
Its Israel who are always killing people.
I wonder why US was not included in this list :s This is all crap
I really would like to see somebody asking my opinion for a poll or at least somebody who I know has answered such polls. God knows who these ghosts are who conduct and answer these polls.its all rubbish politically motivated excercise funded by xyz lobbies.
How many more nukes will it take for the world to love Pakistan?
USA is the Biggest terrorist country of the world, The only country who fired Atomic weapon on Japan and killing innocent people in all over the world for capturing Oil.
@sana: Do you live in wonderland or what. Why you want to close your eyes. Our country is in ruins and that is viewed by the world as well.
who knows this poll was real or fake.. just another topic to make fun of Pakistan :P
Nothing. Starts comment wars between Indians and Pakistanis. Time pass.
Well this is the reality and we must have the courage to face it. Our own people are not happy then what we will expect from others. Time is ripe for us to do the self catharsis or else just vanish into oblivion.
So this is where we have landed ourselves. What a shame!
Who cares! No one gives a heck about these surveys. Proves what?