Pakistans popularity sinks further

Not surprisingly, the countrys reputation and attractiveness has dropped again in the worlds eye. Pakistan is already amongst the unfavourable countries and now the latest annual BBC poll purges any second thoughts. BBC negative influence survey blames the foreign policy of the Capital for the hostile views held by the 22 countries representing the world in the survey. One would think that the security situation in the country would derail the countrys popularity the most. But the second factor that explains the negative rating is of a broader scope: he way the country treats its people. Although on an annual basis there has been slight improvement in Pakistans negative rating from 56 percent in 2011 to 51 percent in 2012, the improvement could not win the country a higher position in the influence charts. Besides, the improvement in North Korea was more apparent in the aftermath of King Jong IIs death, which led North Korea a place above Pakistan. Needless to say, Pakistans image worsened the most in the western countries. Pakistan is the most unpopular in its so-called ally USA. In US and Canada together, its negative perception ranged between a whopping 69 to 75 percent, while it surely isn positive among the BRICs. Across the other side, Australia and EU also choose to remain hostile towards the country. Apart from the developed world, the emerging economies views did not average to a positive total. A starkly noteworthy feature of such a widespread negative perception of the country was that Pakistan was the only country that rates its influence around the globe that rates itself negatively. Moreover, Indonesia remained the only country that had a positive net vision for Pakistan. Globally, Iran has continuously been at the bottom of the list. Statistically there has been slight improvement but what is of weight is 80-81 percent hostility of the US, Australia and Canada towards the country that is not likely to evade any time soon. Factors that shape such rampant negative perception about Iran include poor foreign policy and treatment of citizens, similar to those of Pakistan. The only reason for a positive feedback about both countries is the cultural heritage and the traditions that too are diminishing especially in case of Pakistan.