Thread by @mSaleemJaved

More than half of Pakistanis, 55%, favor Taliban rule in #Afghanistan, shows @GallupPak survey. Only 25% unhappy. There are apparently 4 categories of Pakistanis when it comes to their views vis-a-vis Taliban takeover of the neighboring country👇[thread]
thenews.com.pk/amp/891487-55p…

First group, which is the largest, supports Taliban govnt in #Afghanistan because they consider Taliban as pro #Pakistan and anti #India. It includes a good chunk of highly educated urbanized people, pro-establishment and those influenced by state propaganda.

This category, mostly self-proclaimed patriots, favors a Pakistan-friendly govt in #Kabul and propagated former Afghan govt’s anti-Pakistan statements, particularly that of Mohib & Saleh’s quite extensively to legitimize their support for Taliban. This worldview is India centric.

2nd category are the religious parties and religious extremists who claim that Pakistan was created in the name of religion, Islam, but its system of governance is not as per Sharia. They support Taliban ideologically and consider the Emirate’s reestablishment as an inspiration.

3rd group is the confused lot who find themselves sandwiched between patriotism & liberalism. They don’t like Taliban but they want a Pak friendly govnt in Kabul for the larger national interest. They’re eager to see a ‘reformed’ Taliban and celebrate anything signaling ‘change’.

The last category, the minority, totally opposes Taliban and believes that there is no ‘good Taliban’ whatsoever. They consider pro-Taliban policies dangerous, for the country and the region, and a serious threat to national security in the long run. They are called ‘traitors’.

“The survey — which was conducted from August 13 to September 5 —revealed that 58 percent of men surveyed said they were "happy" with the formation of the Taliban government. Among women, the rate was 36 percent.”
thenews.com.pk/amp/891487-55p…