Majority of Pakistani support trade with India: Survey

[Ignited Mind]

Majority of Pakistani support trade with India: Survey
​

A majority of Pakistanis think their country should trade with India while almost a third are opposed to business ties with the neighbouring country, according to a poll.

The survey, conducted by Gallup Pakistan on behalf of the Jang media group, covered over 2,600 men and women across the country.

Sixty-seven per cent of Pakistanis think their country should trade with India.

Only 29 per cent of people were opposed to the idea of trade with India and another four per cent either did not answer or said they did not know whether Pakistan should trade with India.
According to the poll, 45 per cent of Pakistanis believe increased trade between the two countries will have a positive impact on bilateral relations while 21 per cent think it will have a negative impact.

Twenty-five per cent thought improved trade would not affect the state of relations between the two countries, and another nine per cent either did not answer or said they did not know.

In a bid to understand the factors perceived as game-changers, the people surveyed were presented a set of options, including trade, and asked to rate how important they thought each factor would be in improving relations between India and Pakistan.

An overwhelming 82 per cent voted in favour of trade, saying they considered the revival of trade instrumental in improving relations.

Twenty-six per cent considered it "very important" and 36 per cent said it was "important".

Just five per cent said it was "unimportant" and 13 per cent either said they did not know or did not respond.

Thirty-four per cent of respondents thought the revival of Pakistan-India cricketing ties is "very important" in improving relations while 37 per cent considered it "important".

An additional 16 per cent thought matches are "somewhat important" and only three per cent considered them "unimportant".

Majority of Pakistani support trade with India: Survey | Business Standard