Public Opinion: Significance and Challenges for Pakistan

Public opinion, in simple terms, is when the idea or thought process of a nation’s individuals is congregated and, in some cases, gets materialized into action. This unified sentiment if timely formulated and steered in the right direction can have a myriad of advantages to offer. On the contrary, unorganized and divided opinions over issues of urgency or national importance can wreak havoc.

In the contemporary world, it has become indispensable for the government, institutions and leaders of a state to take into account the ebb and tide of public opinion regarding their decisions, actions and policies. It is an indicator of a nation’s political consciousness and a tool to maintain essential principles of democracy: Accountability and Transparency. In a true democratic society, the rulers cannot turn a blind eye to the pulse of the nation. This input of people is represented through voting, protests, debates and deliberations while the rulers are obliged to take their course of action in this light.

The exceptional strength that collective opinion holds is exhibited by instances such as U.S President Joe Biden’s decision to opt out of the race for the upcoming presidential elections after facing constant abomination, likewise, Pakistan’s former President Pervez Musharaf succumbed to intense pressure and resigned in 2008. Conversely, it can also prove to be damaging for society due to the increasing popularity of social media, as the first choice of audience rather than traditional state-controlled media, it becomes improbable to distinguish facts from fabricated information therefore propagandists can easily use it as a tool to propagate their ideas to mislead the public. Such content floated with malicious intent must be dealt with immediately.

The underlying analysis presents the pre-requisites for a sound public opinion while keeping in view Pakistan’s political landscape. Of foremost importance is education in this regard as it forms the basis of constructive stance. For instance, if we look at Western societies with much higher literacy rates than ours, it is harder for political demagogues to sway such literate rational people. It seems improbable in Pakistan’s society where a large chunk of the population is deprived of education as it widens the horizon for critical thinking.

Pursuing this further, the presence of a free press plays a paramount role in shaping public opinion. In the last few years, media and journalists have been under fire for expressing their discontent and voicing out public anger towards the government’s incompetencies. Firm majority belief is hard to flourish where threats and intimidations are being inflicted upon citizens and free discourse is not encouraged but curtailed by coercion. This creates horrendous damage to the evolution of democratic norms in a state. Another overlooked aspect is lack of constructive interaction among leaders of political parties. This is where Pakistan lags behind and inspiration can be drawn from U.S Presidential debates where the potential candidates are judged on the basis of their vision and policy in different sectors.

Moreover, economic disparity if ignored can further aggravate the gap between rich and poor. Thus, it can sow the seeds of internal strife and resentment towards the elite who continue to live in an ivory tower, seeking their vested interests while the masses have to bear the brunt of the economic crisis. A unified stance can never be accomplished where the underprivileged are hardly able to make ends meet. Unfortunately, a society lacking harmony and divided over religious, sectarian issues begins to lose its collective identity, therefore, people are unable to associate themselves as a community as their interests and goals do not align.

It is a bitter truth that these irreconcilable differences do exist in Pakistan and its public opinion is influenced deeply by the aforementioned factors. The divergent views cannot be eliminated but through access to better education, freedom of expression via debates/deliberations and peaceful protests can prove to be most effective in the formation of a popular sentiment that is sound and rational thereby improving the overall intellect of our nation.

It can be asserted that a well-informed public opinion is crucial for a functional democracy beyond a shadow of a doubt. For Pakistan, it seems to be an uphill struggle. Whether or not, it will be attempted and fulfilled is yet to be seen.

Aleeza Sharif

The author is a freelance writer, having keen interest in politics and international affairs.

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