‘Overwhelming majority for Islamic laws in Pak’

An overwhelming majority of Pakistanis want Islamic teachings to be the foundation of the country’s laws, a survey report said.

“This opinion is especially prevalent in Pakistan (78%), one of only five declared Islamic Republics in the world, and the Palestinian territories (65%),” a research report issued by the Pew Research Centre revealed.

The research report, which is based on the findings of a recent survey of 10,194 respondents, conducted in 10 countries with significant Muslim populations from April 5 to May 21, 2015, notes striking variations in the extent to which people think the Quran should influence their countries’ laws. The participants of the survey were asked: “Which of the following three statements comes closer to your view: Laws in your country should strictly follow the teachings of the Holy Quran, laws in your country should follow the values and principles of Islam but not strictly follow the teachings of Holy Quran, laws in your country should not be influenced by the teachings of the Holy Quran.”

Views on strictly following the Quran for laws differ widely between countries. In Pakistan, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Malaysia and Senegal, roughly half or more of the full population said that laws in their countries should strictly follow the Quran.