- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.1
Alerts
Pakistan among top 20 happiest countries, beating India, US: Report
Life expectancy, experienced well-being of Pakistan found to be mediocre, but ecological footprint termed “good”.
Happy Planet Index calculated using life expectancy, experienced well-being, ecological footprint. PHOTO: HAPPY PLANET INDEX
KARACHI: Pakistan ranked 16th among 151 countries of the world on the Happy Planet Index (HPI) 2012, beating India and the United States which ranked 32nd and 105th respectively. Costa Rica was termed the happiest country, followed by Vietnam and Colombia.
The Happy Planet Index was calculated using life expectancy, experienced well-being and ecological footprint (per capita) of the countries with data collected from various sources including UNDP and Gallup data. The index was compiled by New Economics Foundation (NEF).
The life expectancy and experienced well-being of Pakistan was found to be mediocre, but the ecological footprint was termed “good”. The total HPI of Pakistan was calculated to be 54.1.
Israel landed just one spot above Pakistan, having “good” life expectancy and experienced well-being, but a “poor” ecological footprint.
Bangladesh was higher up on the scale at 11, with the first two factors termed mediocre and the footprint as “good”.
India was found to have mediocre life expectancy and well-being and a “good” ecological footprint. However, its total HPI amounted to 50.9.
The only reason why the US scored low was its ecological footprint which was worse than the “poor” category. The life expectancy and experienced well-being were, however, ranked “good”.
Afghanistan was ranked 109.
The countries which landed at the bottom of the Happiness Index were mostly from Sub-Saharan Africa.
Denmark ranked the highest on the experienced well-being chart, followed by Canada and Norway.
Togo landed on the bottom of the chart.
On the life expectancy chart, Japan topped the list, followed by Hong Kong and Switzerland, while Sierra Leone gained the last spot.
Afghanistan had the best ecological footprint among all the countries, followed by Haiti and Bangladesh.
The countries with the worst ecological footprint included Qatar, Luxembourg, Kuwait, UAE, Denmark and the US.
Reader Comments (179)
World Latest Stories
First Saudi woman summits the Everest
First Qatari and first Palestinian man to summit the Everest along with Saudi Raha Moharrak.
Cricket: Despair over spread of spot-fixing 'cancer'
Police who arrested three Indian cricketers for spot-fixing say they were acting under orders from crime bosses.
Sanjay Dutt held in 'terrorist' jail cell: Report
Dutt's lawyer demands his transfer from the jail cell once occupied by Mumbai attacks gunman Ajmal Kasab.
Sherry Rehman urges end to drone strikes
Farewell reception for Rehman attended by top US officials, think tank experts and journalists.
Yahoo to vote on $1.1 billion Tumblr buy: AllThingsD
Yahoo is keen on Tumblr because its younger user base would enhance the older website's 'cool factor'.
US chides Russia over missiles
Most senior US military officer describes Russia's recent delivery of anti-ship missiles to Assad as very unfortunate.
Commuter trains collide in Connecticut, injuring up to 60 people
Three people were critically injured and 60 people were transported to area hospitals.
Shots fired at Cannes film festival, actors flee for cover
Police arrested the man at the scene and found he was carrying a dummy grenade and a knife.
IPL investigation ‘Sweaty’ Sreesanth’s towel trouble
More than 20 people have also been arrested all over India in connection to the scandal for questioning.
Pakistan approves 100,000 tons of wheat for Iran to pay for power
Shipment was due in mid-February, but faced delays due to elections.
Recent Slideshows
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2013 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? [email protected]
you must be kidding me right???
Recommend
There are long lines of Indian and American visa seekers on gates of Pakistan embassies.
Recommend
So many people suicide daily and still among top 20 happiest countries! Total Rubbish!
Recommend
lol
Recommend
Who did they survey ? The super posh colonies of Islamabad. Life cannot be better. Yep. Multiple servants to satisfy your needs. Recommend
Can someone explain what is an “ecological footprint”, I’ll be grateful.Recommend
@Zafar: You will have to visit Afghanistan to know about that. They are the best in the world for “ecological footprint”.
Recommend
This got to be true especially after yesterday’s Cricket match !! LOL
Recommend
Awww poor indians beaten again :)
Recommend
@Zafar:
Its the amount of the damage an individual of that country causes to environment….i.e. the amount of greenhouse gas released,water used etc….
Countries like India,US,China will never fare high because of the amount of automobiles and industry they have…Also you can find many south american countries scoring high because of the amount of forest cover they have….
Recommend
Mushklain hum per pari itni ke asaan ho gayeen (hence a high HPI ranking is a must!)
Recommend
Tnis is tfue. Zardari has pro ided bappier lives to all. only people supporting talebaan lead an unhappy lives.
Recommend
hahahahaRecommend
What a freakin Joke !!!!!!
Recommend
HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH.
No, wait. Perhaps I shouldn’t be so cynical. I’m sure this New Economics Foundation must be an organisation with a fair amount of credibility and they must have done their due diligence. I mean, I’m just jumping to conclusions based on MY perception of ground realities. Perhaps I should lighten up a little. Perhaps…
Oh, sod it. HAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.
Recommend
This is because most pakistani feel happy that they have survived to take the “happiness” index survey! Surviving an another day, unharmed by the mob, random violence (robbery, kidnapping etc.) and terrorism is like the feeling of euphoria a patient feels after having survived a life threatening disease!
Recommend
A bomb blast here, a shooting there. This is our way – we are happy. You see the many Arabs crashing through our borders – all for happiness. You should too. PIA is ever ready to fly you in on wings of happiness, of course. Rahman Malik to greet you at the airport – giddy with happiness. Zaid Hamid to plan your itenary – with happiness. And Haqqanis to be your happy tour guides. Are you rushing to get here? come one, come all – to the land of happiness.
Recommend
poll was coducted only in DHA, BahriaTown and Islamabad
Recommend
@afzaalkhan:
I would not bet on it , the Trolls are just sitting there to come up with something to spew venom at Pakistan, that is what they are paid for by their government. How could they have so much time to be reading all the Pakistani news papers and then find faults everything we do.Recommend
this survey was done lastnite after india was kicked out of the T20, and we all are HAPPY :)Recommend
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_footprintRecommend
this just shows that these rating agencies can not be trusted! lol
Recommend
@haider Ali – yes lot of people sucide but its relative in this case right? How many sucide in India?
Recommend
Pakistan is ranked as the worst place to be a women in the world. This must mean that men are very very happy in Pakistan.Recommend
Hahahaha…this is hilarious…nothing like a good laugh to ease the stress at the end of a long day..thanks “ET” for publishing this article…
Recommend
for me it is sort f rubbish survey.people who are being deprived of self respect,people is being killed in the street of Karachi without any reason, lack of education, health facilities, and most recently being denied for Electricity and other basic necessity could be Happy? i think the survey is conducted by presidency house probably headed by Abdul rehman malik support provided by F.B.R and NADRA
Recommend
@Zafar:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21428694.800-us-fails-on-happy-planet-index.html
Recommend
Taaaliyaan!!! For the nation that remains “HAPPY” while getting stung up by none other than its own people.Recommend
To all those who are laughing (including me) – what if it is true ? Something to think about. Now I feel sad.
Recommend
Nice to see that Tribune started publishing Jokes on front page.
Recommend
Strange survey. What’s the point of adding “ecological footprint” along side life expectancy and well being for measuring happiness??
Recommend
Is this some sort of masochism index?
Recommend
Dil Dil Pakistan…..
Recommend
People misunderstand the Happy Planet Index. It is the gauge of how happy the planet is with Pakistan not how happy Pakistanis are. Thus backward countries make it to top due to the low carbon footprint.
Even so, the economic conditions in Pakistan are way better than most of the world right now.
Recommend
Congratulations Pakistan.
Recommend
@Fauzia: Look how the western and industrialized countries make a fool of people of this region. Like sprinkling salt on our wounds. And we fight among ourselves.
This is their way of giving us consolation prize for “not industrializing” as much as them; for not moving forward with time.
Recommend
India is out of T20, we are happiest natio in the worldRecommend
I think its true as pakistan as a nation celebrates the very little things in life, good food, samosay, rain, winning a cricket match, a great song, individual occassions , trust me pakistanis as people are always cracking jokes and find joys , u would always see them smiling inspite of all the problems they have compared tO many wealthy and developed, yet wealthy nations.Recommend
People commenting here are so narrow minded ….. this survey was organized by an international and credible organization …….. but these people think that happiness is all about material progress ……… so materialistic ……. we need to understand that materialistic progress is other thing and happiness is something difference ……Recommend
Happinuss is given by Allah and Allah alone. We are blessud by Him for being on the happinuss shcale. Well ahed of the infidul, idolateurs kafirs, and mushirkeens. We need to follow the true way in the arab sense to becum the number 1. We are punyshed now for not having sharia in purest forms in this country, or we can becaum numbers 1. Inshallah.
Recommend
“Pakistan among top 20 happiest countries, beating India, US: Report”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
.Recommend
@S:
135000 peoples committed scuicide in india in 2011.major causes were hunger and piverty.Recommend
How could a country be happy When they have got a neighbour like pak.Recommend
Now this is one survey that most Pakistanis would not complaint about. All other statistics are usually a conspiracy by the West against Pakistan.
Recommend
Hahahaha.. We have beaten India twice and don’t know about the 2nd victory as just read this article.
Recommend
American surveys at their best. American naivity at its best too.
Recommend
I thought the report was serious until I checked it out and found this:
Funny Pakistan is No 6 in terms of ecological footprint.
Guess who those ahead are (in order): Afghanistan, Haiti, Bangladesh, Rwanda and Nepal.
Do you see the irony here? None of them have a solid industrial base, meaning:
No industry = No ecological footprint
Now I see the joke here ;)
Recommend
According to some reports, India’s position slipped further down after reading this
Recommend
was this survey conducted after yesterday’s cricket match?
Recommend
what can you expect with pakistan as our neighbor?
Recommend
That’s what we call “Doosra”.
Recommend
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Nope… This is not a sarcastic laugh at this news piece. Im just so happy to be happy!
Recommend
economy is not growing at significant rate, floods are affecting the whole nation combined with power cuts, terrorism and mob rule has plagued the nation, with political instability and uncontrolled judiciary ruling the roost,the military establishment stuck in wars and Baluchistan on the brink, with top scientists still debating about invention of water kit,what are Pakistanis really happy about,seriously what?.
Recommend
A meaningless index, contrary to all commonsense. Demolishes the purveyor’s credibility.
Recommend
Haha,Cz We People Are Not So Tensed As OThers…
Recommend
The poorer the people the obviously smaller eco-foot print, who was the genius who came up with this index?
Recommend
Would like to believe this, really; but looking at the state of affair of our dear land of pure this news sounds like a very very bad joke!!
Recommend
haha. e.t has become insane
Recommend
Check up 19th Country should be Somalia
Recommend
Well the Arabs dont do well in this survey but the bangladeshis are way ahead so may be we can follow Islam in the bangali way@Waheeda Islam:
Recommend
Do they mean happy as in medicated happy?
Recommend
This is absolute baloney. No Pakistanis are returning to their country instead they are all emigrating to flee corruption, lawlessness, intolerance, no electricity, poor governance, no jobs.
Recommend
@antsnu g:
Please go to Pakistan and be very happy. Also, please take your whole family with you.
Recommend
India is beaten again?? I dont think so to all you pakiiiistanis!!! we beat you guys in cricket and technically we did win the match against SA and we won the world cup last year… we will always win against you. Lets see if you win T20.. and regading this article india is a bigger country with a huge economy far better tehn pakistan. We have a lot hunger and poverty due to the population and we scored 50.1 not far from pakistan on 54,4 on this article and our well being, ecological footprint and life expectancy was al good. READ THE ARTICLE BEFORE COMMENTING! INDIA WILL ALWAYS BE ON TOP, NO COMPARISON WITH PAKISTAN OH YES!Recommend
Yes the mullahs are all happy …..we get to eat halwa all day and preach hate and violence without fear of the law agencies stopping us.if we get put in prison the CJ releases us and lawyers shower us with Rose petals……..yes yes we are very happy…
Recommend
First of all what second victory are you talking about? India bet Pakistan in the match and Pakistan is only in as Aus threw the match, Second, if this loadshedding, corruption, terrorism, mediviel mindset keeps people happy and content then so be it,
Recommend
Indeed country is great
Recommend
Pakistan is a great country and best place to live on earth
Recommend
This is a joke right? Every day killings, disasters, corruption, drone strikes. Yeah sure we still the happiest few on earth….
Recommend
They have nothing to eat, no water or electricity – so almost zero ecological footprint – is that happiness. Abusrd article. Somali should rank first and Pakistan 2nd :)
Recommend
JAI ZARDAR ,in his time people are happier and healthier. people are free to speak, criticise and can even use expletives on tv in press and on the stage
Recommend
No electricity, no petrol, no gas…
We are the most environment friendly country in the world!
Recommend
I believe it to be true: I have been to many countries but Pakistanis are the byfar most friendly, happy company. As far as violence & death is concerned every country has to deal with it one way or another. The index was definitely not for per ca-pita wealth or city facilities. It was about contentment and a citizen’s approach toward the hardship of life & his/her believe & hopefulness. It is real: If you go to any part of the country you will be welcomed & treated nicely by a member of the public, of-course except for few permanently rude professional at any business or service location, private or government. Now thugs, crooks and psychologically troubled persons are part of life anywhere, don’t they?
Recommend
The foundation who evaluated the countries for Happy Planet Index did not apply parameters like ecological footprints etc for Pakistan but carried out survey of the actual conditions prevailing in the country like bomb blasts, sectarian violence, killings, abductions, religious intolerance, violent protests, misrule, corruption, shortages of gas and electricity etc etc. The foundation was mighty impressed that despite nothing going right in Pakistan, people were bearing all wrongs with patience and contented with their lot and thus rated it higher in happiness than countries like US where people despite being rich and enjoying all luxuries are still unhappy and discontented.
Recommend
What’s your inferiority complex with the Indians that you have to compare yourself all the time with India ..it seems only thing which undies you is that you are everything but an Indian..anyway, this survey is a joke which probably nobody in your country also will take at a ace value ..
Recommend
Whar are they smoking?Recommend
Lol. Just by reading this article Pakistan became a happier place than its jealous neighbours :p
Recommend
Reading the survey, and not able to understand the logic behind the criteria make me smile, yaaay now we are above than israel.
Second reason, our president always smile……
Way to go!!!
Recommend
Dear Friends:
The survey and results are really very true.
Actually this survey was conducted when Pakistan won match from Australia…. The nation was happy and enjoying and same was translated here…………..
If Pakistan wins Semis and Final of T-20 , Pakistan Happiest Index would touch the highest mark………. :) :) ;)
Thanks,
Recommend
@Jat:
Jat you are trying to give impression as if Pakistanis want to visit booming India. Wrong. If there are lines outside embassy , these are people who either want to go for yatras or divided families who want to meet up.
Thousands of Sikhs visit Pakistan annually for their religious activities.
Correct your facts.
Recommend
have you ever been to Pakistan? On the whole people there are close to their families, very religious and relatively healthy. All things that correlate with happiness. Having a ton of stuff doesn’t necessarily make you happy. I have been to India also and I can say Indian cities are far worse than Pakistan and i always felt like i was roaming in a gutter.
Recommend
I read the report of this survey 16th , to myself i was thinking could it be possible, but when i read the comments.. to be honest i forgot what was before it ………..hahahaha after reading the comments i must admit Pakistan may not the happiest of HAPPY but Pakistan is surely the funniest country in the world.
Yea, May Allah Bless Pakistan and all Pakistanis Ameen, The decency which i find in reading comments by country to country wise there is no doubt Pakistanis are way better than others I mean if you log on Times of Indiia and Read the comments there trust me you would end up believing me that no doubt we have decency and courage to bare consequences thou our system is not working properly than again, we face it only with the faith, on Allah .
Keep Smiling :)
Recommend
This happiness rate will gonna shoot up when Pakistan will win Icc t20 World Cup this sunday IA :D Aparts from joke.. r u kidding me? :pRecommend
@Ritesh:
Bro, do you notice? Barely anyone go out and declare his all-perfect opinion on Indian papers. But it’s the opposite! Now you tell me, who is comparing, worried or has a complex?
Recommend
i think you need to look at the parameters more closely. what determines ecological footprint? my bet is that its heavily tilted towards carbon dioxide emissions per person. in that case, pakistan would have a really good score as our industrial base is underdeveloped.
overall, i think a really poorly tilled survey and dubious parameters. how can you have a really happy country where 30% of the people want to leave….
Recommend
@Sani: Next time don’t come to India – or is it your hobby; to roam in gutters ?
Recommend
I like smoke/ingest what Pakistanis are smoking/ingesting.
Recommend
Just out of curiosity, were the participants in the survey just politicians and military officials?
Recommend
@Anonymous:
Not every smiling person is happy :(
Recommend
@Zalim Singh:
Hahaha – thats the difference between India and Pak, we are still happier despite having India as a neighbour. How many people have access to electricity even just enough to keep a light bulb going in India – 53 %! Whats the poverty rate in India – over 40% (higher than all of Africa combined) – how many insurgencies do you have? Countless, latest being Assam and the maoists. Even my own Indian friends tell me they never want to go back. How much “clean up” did you have to do before the Commonwealth games – dogs, donkeys, COWS and slum dwellers being removed to show the world, oh, this is a new india – hahaha – and then the corruption scandal. Sati still happens in rural areas. A couple of tatas and reliances with a few bollywood “item song” movies made out of india and you think you can fool the world. An indian girl met me recently here in Pakistan and she said she never wants to go back! Now troll around some more, enjoy ipl which is nothing but a gambling forum in the name of cricket – your sorry team is literally going home in tears – Pakistan is the only team to reach EVERY semi final in t20 world cups and won it once already. Excuse me please now, I am gonna go have a nice BEEF steak! HAHAHAHA. Slumdog millionaire defines the true india.
Recommend
More like we get the most “happy endings”
Recommend
The report was biased. India’s growth rate is 19.2% per year; population growth rate is going down and out of 34, 32.5 states have reached sub-replacement fertility rates; tourism is booming; IPL and other sporting events are on the rise (there are speculations Soccer World Cup 2020 will be hosted in India); Hollywood is replaced by Bollywood; India’s military expenditure will outgrow the entire world’s combined by 2025; multi-billionaires are headed to India for citizenship and permanent residence. The only problem we face is terrorism emanating from Pakistan and recently from Bangladesh. Things are looking up for India. So, we are HAPPY!
Recommend
The list must be read in reverse order.
Recommend
@Yuri Kondratyuk: india has 28 states my frnd
Recommend
@ maestro
where do you get your figures? Pakistan’s GDP is half of India’s, right now.
Recommend
@roger:
Six are in development phase.
They are being built with the latest cutting edge state of the art ultra modern indigenous imported Indian technology and will soon be completed. They are all solar/wind/hydro, i.e., renewable energy powered. That will drive the ‘ecological footprint’ up high enough to land in the top 5 places.
Recommend
@Yuri Kondratyuk:
do you any idea of what are you speaking?
Recommend
Being ranked the worst on every other survey and index on this planet, is an enough reason to keep the massess unhappy and they are saying that we are the most happy country in the world?!?!?!?
Oh!! Americans, you and your surveys!!! This is like the joke of the decade!!!!!
Recommend
P.S. No indians were harmed in the taking of this survery.
P.P.S. Chillax indians, why can’t we all just….get along :)
Recommend
I think we in Pakistan try to make the best with what we have and live our lives accordingly,while others in our neighbourhood are simply after the big bucks.
Recommend
Drawing room analysis…. absolute garbage
Recommend
I really think that the average Pakistan/Indian person is rather terrific, although quite a few individuals do not seem to get along. Also, although wealth is not absolutely necessary for happiness it certainly helps. Having said that, how can we make Pakistanis the number one happiest population on earth. It seems relatively easy to me in one way, but difficult in another. First off, get rid of the corrupt politicians, get rid of 9/10ths of the military, reduce public servants at all levels by a similar amount, get rid of all laws and regulations, which benefit legal and medical people, get rid of American/NATO forces, get rid of taxes which benefit the wealthy, start thinking of serious ways to increase jobs, introduce an education system that really works for everybody, introduce a health system that ensures people get better, and fixes everything from polio to hearing and eyesight. Although I will not mention outlying areas we all know who they are so let Pakistan solve the problems for everybody. We all know it will not happen, but it will not happen if the people who are suffering do not make a stand. It should not be that difficult to make Pakistan the happiest country in the world.
Recommend
people who commented here are definitely the other 45.9% :)Recommend
apparently the survey class consisted entirely of heroin addicts in a state of bliss
Recommend
Must have been made by looking into life of Politicians, they are the only ones happy living and looting Pakistan
Recommend
If you need somebody else to tell you that you’re happy, you have a serious problem.
Recommend
@Yuri Kondratyuk: Delusion can be a good tool for daydreaming. #justsaying
Recommend
@maestro:
You sum up everything. Bravo.
Recommend
U see We, Pakistanis have a very unique Philosophy…. of everything….. I’m Enjoyinggg ittt… :)
Recommend
@ahmad Bilal: You have nothing, yet you are still posting this, well, you must be happy!
Recommend
The Happy Planet Index doesn’t measure a country’s happiness, it measures variables relating to health and ecological sustainability. Pakistan lags behind most countries in life expectancy/perceived well being but is ahead because like all under-developed countries with limited access to ecological resources, its carbon footprint is small.
Recommend
Because in spite of all going terribly wrong.. We celebrate and cherish the little things in life :))Recommend
The only reason we’re even in the list is simple, they are also looking at the “Ecological Footprint (per capita)” data. Let’s face it we are still one of the “developing” countries, where despite large cities and population densities in those areas we’re we do have a large population outside of the metropolitans.
The better index of “Happiness” should have also included political situation and economic stability. Although as a Pakistani I’m happy that we’re in the top twenty but realistically this is not a true indicator
Recommend
@sajida: If you are satisfied with that, we neighbors are happy for you, we truly are. Anyway a little bit of introspection is not a bad thing. Peace !!
Recommend
if these agencies write against our political leaders we all claim it divine truth and if it write in favour we say it great joke.very funny educated people.
Recommend
@Safa Masood: But there is no harm in enjoying the big things. :) Can always strive for bigger, greater achievements, no ? Just have to get the priorities right.
Recommend
I’m so happy I wanna cry.
Recommend
People, this survey is absolutely true. It took place after electricity came back, and we were all happyRecommend
@Zalim Singh:
I get my figures and facts from the Economist, CNN and BBC. Of course your GDP is higher than ours – we are 180 million people under war, you are 1.2 BILLION people. Stop comparing apples and oranges. Our GDP growth rate was over 8% before this afghan war landed on our footstep. Even then our poverty rate even while we are fighting terrorists entering from afghanistan (sponsored by you – why do you need 40 consulates there huh?) daily is still lower than yours. Apart from your major cities like mumbai (which has slums right next to luxury buildings), bangalore, hyderabad, rural India which is well where over 60% of the population lives are a deprived, poverty stricken people. Urinating in public is so common that my indian friends tell me that they actually smell it when they land in delhi. Get your own house in order before trolling on our websites daily. lols. Zalim Singh – lols – change it to Khadim Singh. hahahaha. An indian couple from delhi visited us recently and they were shocked – literally they said, oh my god this is Pakistan?? Its beautiful!! cheerio
Recommend
well right…we can`t be happy only when some corrupted people are happy in pakistan@Shahid Anwar:Recommend
Happy Planet Index is about planet’s happiness, human & environmental well-being NOT about people’s happiness. ‘Happiness’ of people is done by Gross National Happiness and other such stuff.
Moreover, one of 3 factors is ecological footprint which pushed Pakistan onto 16th position. Pakistan’s ecological footprint is low because it doesn’t have power plants burning coal to power large industries (and fudges data as well).
Recommend
lol…Why does people from Bangladesh migrate illegally to India then? Now i know why U.S wanted Afghanistan so badly. They wanted to get a pie of its ecological footprint so they could have a better happiness score. So, how many of them are willing to live in Afghanistan or Bangladesh?
Recommend
No BLOODY wonder the ecological footprint is minimal, THERE’S NO ENERGY TO RUN ANYTHING!
Recommend
Yuri Kondratyuk’s comment was a good attempt at sarcasm. Too bad many of you couldn’t get it and took it seriously. Relax !
Recommend
I just realised all the sad people come to ET ):
Recommend
To be alive at the end of the day, makes every Pakistani happy
Recommend
Please. The Express editorial staff should know the difference between the Happy ‘Planet’ Index and happy countries.
Recommend
The ecological footprint is a measure of human demand on the Earth’s ecosystems.
We don’t have water for drinking. Oil in our cars. Don’t have gas. So obviously we don’t have an ecological footprint, and they equated that with being happy.
A complete western country poll with no understanding how developing nations live.
Recommend
@maestro: Do you know maharatra’s overall gdp(one of the state of india) is more than the GDP of whole pakistan.Talking about delhi,if you will combine your karachi,lahore,islamabad then also it will not compete with delhis infrastructure and charm.Delhi is simply HOT.Who told you these things about Delhi .Definitely they r pak sympathiser who r jealous of indias economic boom.Come to NCR(gurgaon),you will amazed to see the massive infrastructure work going on. sky scrappers,Lovely malls,amazing night life,clean parks and roads,underground metro rail is just amazing.Delhi is also rich in heritage. Recommend
Pakistan winning the S/F will make the people more happy and lifting the Cup would make them the happiest and put Pakistan among the first five. Best of luck.
Recommend
I think the poll meant to ask – trigger happy countries
Recommend
@maestro: relax,this just a news website,if you want to discuss economy or poverty,there are hell a lot of other forums out their to discuss,no need to to go hyper nova,by the way,in last few months hundreds of Pakistani Hindus migrated to India,and they will never go back .Having gardens or big buildings will not make anyone happy, if the friendly neighborhood with a caring society, which stresses on true and honest education,you will find happiness and Pakistan has none.
Recommend
@Yuri Kondratyuk:
The last time I checked, there was only one Zaid Hamid and, unfortunately, he is Pakistani. But I guess, I was wrong. You are not serious are you? You sound like the Zaid Hamid of India.
Recommend
Honestly, we as a nation were doing perfectly FINE up until this so called ‘War on Terrorism.’ Economy was 7-8% and I am not exaggerating. You can check online sources. Pakistan’s performance was appreciated by IMF.
We have lost 35000 people. We have lost tourism. Damage to Pakistani infrastructure is estimated at worth $70 billion (Aid = $20 billion). We are threatened by the US to take part in this war (France’s decision to quit the War was respected by the US; we don’t have that luxury). The educated class is leaving Pakistan.
Hopefully, things will get better after the US leaves this region in 2014, insh’Allah.
Recommend
I suppose…the ranking is going to change tonight :)
Recommend
is it a joke?
Recommend
Happy about what? The economy that runs on daily money doled out by the US? Or running to the US with a begging bowl every other day when money runs out? Or is it the daily drone attacks? Or is it the almost weekly schedule of a Taliban attack in the cities?
Recommend
@jism:
Funny that you’re telling maestro to relax…maybe it’s upset you that one guy single-handedly shut up most of the Hindustanis here who are so happy in their country that they spend their days reading over news articles from Pakistan.
As for the Pakistani Hindus who migrated, we wish them luck – let’s hope they aren’t among the Dalit caste, because we know how well they are treated in your happy country. Let’s not talk also about the Sikh, Muslim and Christian victims of your many religious bloodbaths – I doubt they are gloating as much as you about your religious harmony.
Frankly speaking, the most surprising thing about this article isn’t Pakistan’s position, it is Hindustan’s – there is now way a country which is heaving so desperately under poverty, AIDS and nationwide malnourishment can be among the happier nations in the world. Maybe the poll consisted only of Amitabh Bachchan and Bal Thakeray, who knows.
Hasan
Recommend
I just came to know I’m living in a happy country, therefore ha ha ha !
Recommend
@Max just chilling man! Hope you slept by now.
Recommend
@jism:
Hahaha – all of them said they are coming back to Pakistan and India admitted that none of them have seeked asylum so far! What are you smoking dude?? lols
Recommend
@Nitish:
Nitiish jee, I will respond the same way you guys do. My mother has been to india 6 times in the last few years and even she told me that landing in Lahore from Delhi was like a breathe of fresh air. My indian friend Swaati said she has seen naked hindu swords running after muslims in mumbai well before 26/11. I count many hindu friends as my brothers and sisters – and I am wearing a rakhi from two of them. Stop vilifying Pakistan. We are a nation – and we will remain a NATION with hopefully good neighbours! No hindu is running away from Pakistan- they go to pilgrimage to India and you think they want asylum?? – lols- NONE has asked for one. And we also have fancy malls. McDonalds, Hardees, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, etc, on every corner of every city. Get your head out of your behinds and learn to live like friendly neighbours.
Recommend
@Hasan:
Cheers bro :-)Recommend
@maestro
My indian friend Swaati said she has seen naked hindu swords running after muslims in mumbai well before 26/11.
Lol! You just made that up din you?
Recommend
I was expecting thousands commenting on this, come on guys :P
Recommend
hein????????
:O
Recommend
@Hasan:
@maestro:
Dozens of Pakistani Hindus seek asylum in India: report
Pak Hindu family arrives in Attari, to seek asylum
171 Pakistani Hindus seek asylum in India
Chidambaram says 764 Pakistanis given Indian citizenship
shall we talk about the minorities of Pakistan then?.rather than talking here,ask those minorities who are running way from Pakistan as to why they will never return to Pakistan again.
“India’s Home Minister P Chidambaram has said that during the past three years 764 Pakistanis had been given Indian citizenship. in a statement the Indian Home Minister told authorities that between 2009 and 2011, 1990 Pakistanis had applied for Indian citizenship and that these applications had been submitted in various Indian states.Out of the total, 764 applicants had been given Indian citizenship.”.
have fancy malls McDonalds, Hardees, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway
wake up genius, Pakistan is among the list of failed states,i did not prepare that list,but those who know Pakistan very well have prepared that list.
Recommend
@Hasan:
Pakistan is regarded as a failed state.the political leadership,the military,the judiciary,the education system, the society have all failed.perhaps,it seems that those who live outside Pakistan know more about Pakistan than most Pakistanis living in Pakistan. Pakistan is now regarded as “state in denial”
@maestro:
yup,all of them will come back and Pakistan will become the source of inspiration to all developing countries. isn’t that right?..keep waiting at the borders to see whether they will ever come back.Recommend
Just shows ignorance is bliss !
Recommend
advent of Islam brought peace and prosperity to every nation it touched. I am least surprised.Recommend