Nearly 50% Pakistanis want increase in trade ties with India: survey

ISLAMABAD: Almost half of Pakistanis are in favour of increasing trade ties with India to normalise relations after the ceasefire, The News reported.

However, 35% Pakistanis oppose this proposal and demand all outstanding issues should be resolved first.

This was revealed by a Gallup Pakistan survey, in which several hundred people selected from across the country participated. The survey was conducted between May 12 and 18 this month.

On the question of what steps should be taken to normalise relations with India, 48% of Pakistanis supported increasing cooperation in the field of sports. Thirty-five percent opposed it.

Forty-four percent Pakistanis said cooperation in the field of education should be increased, while 36% rejected this proposal. Forty percent voted for increasing cultural relations, while 35% openly opposed this proposal.

To the question, “If you were in 1947, would you have been in favour of separation from India”, 86% said they would have voted in favour of separation from India.

Three percent said they would have opposed it. Seven percent said they could not say anything about it, while 4% did not give any opinion.