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Pakistan knows how to remain in the highlights of the
news. Recently a survey was held by WIN/Gallup International Survey 2015
comprising of 68 countries across the globe. The results of the survey
were phenomenal that shows Pakistan ranked 5th on economic optimism and
10th on overall optimism.
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The World Bank reporting the tailwinds pushing Pakistan's economic
growth seems to support the optimism in Pakistan. Most observers believe
that the year 2015 has turned out to be a good year for Pakistan with
the return of general optimism among businessmen, investors and
consumers. Economic recovery has continued as Pakistan Army's efforts,
including its Operation Zarb e Arb and Karachi Operation by Rangers have
started to bear fruit with significant decline in terrorism. There are
new signs of a thaw in India-Pakistan ties with Indian Prime Minister
Modi's surprise year-end visit to Lahore. Efforts to bring peace in
Afghanistan took a new positive turn with the hopeful entry of the
Taliban into a quadrilateral process involving Afghanistan, Pakistan,
China and the United States.
Overall, 64% of Pakistanis say they happy, slightly below the 66%
average for the 68 countries surveyed. Among south Asian nations, 66% of
Bangladeshis, 58% of Indians and 42% of Afghans say they are happy,
according to WIN/Gallup International Survey for 2015.
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Bangladesh (74%), Nigeria (61%) and Columbia (85%) top Hope, Economic
Optimism and Happiness Indices respectively. Pakistan scores 42% (rank
10) on hope and 50% (rank 5) on economic optimism indices. India scores
47% (rank 9) on Hope and 44% (rank 6) on Economic Optimism indices.
Jean-Marc Leger, President of WIN/Gallup International Association, said
that "2015 has been a tumultuous year for many across the globe, despite
that the world remains largely a happy place. 45% of the world is
optimistic regarding the economic outlook for 2016, up by 3 per cent
compared to last year."
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Let's hope the new crises unfolding at the start of the year 2016 such
as the China market crash, the Pathankot terrorist attack in India, the
new escalation of Iran-Saudi conflict and the claimed hydrogen bomb test
claimed by North Korea do not sour the 2015 year-end optimism reported
by the WIN/Gallup survey. |