Islamabad: According to a Gilani Research Foundation Survey carried out by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, 58% Pakistanis believe that Pakistan has the right to Kashmir; 32% believe it should be an independent autonomous nation. Rising support for independent Kashmir noted over the past 8 years.

A nationally representative sample of men and women from across the four provinces was asked, “Think impartially and tell us, who you think has more right to Kashmir – Pakistan or India?” Responding to this, 58% said that Pakistan has more right to Kashmir, 32% said that it should be an independent autonomous nation and 3% said that India has more right to Kashmir. 7% did not respond.

Trend Analysis: In 2010, 71% respondents said that Pakistan has more right to Kashmir, 24% said that it should be an independent autonomous nation, while 2% said that India has more right to Kashmir. 3% did not respond.

The findings are available since 2010 periodically and the graph below shows how the public opinion has fluctuated over the years.

The study was released by Gilani Research Foundation and carried out by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International.

The recent survey was carried out among a sample of 1710 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country, February 12 –February 19, 2018.

Error margin is estimated to be approximately ± 2-3 per cent at 95% confidence level.