AS we enter the New Year, a Gallup survey shows more than half of Pakistanis are hopeful the New Year will be a year of improvement and that the country’s economic situation will also get better.
According to Gallup Pakistan, Pakistanis hoping for improvement in 2026 have surpassed the global average. At the global level, 37% expressed optimism, while in Pakistan this figure stood at 51% for the New Year. The survey also found that the proportion of Pakistanis dreaming of a more peaceful world is twice as high as that in India and the global average.
The optimism of Pakistanis about their own future and that of the country is surely grounded in positive developments of 2025, which is seen by many as the most consequential year in the history of the nation. The year witnessed tumultuous events in the realm of security and defence, economy, diplomacy, political landscape and judicial reforms but most importantly the country remained unscathed because of mature handling of almost every situation by the civil and military leadership. It is a foregone conclusion that Pakistan-India conflict altered the course of regional history as Pakistan not only decimated an otherwise potent threat to its security and sovereignty due to Indian aggression and won support and recognition of the global community because of its prudent diplomacy. The crisis, triggered by India, helped strengthen national unity and the telling response to the invasion fortified trust of the people of Pakistan in the ability and professionalism of their defence forces to defend the motherland. This is, perhaps, the reason for optimism of Pakistanis about peace and progress during 2026 despite unending threatening posture adopted by India on the one hand and perfidious attitude of the incumbent dispensation in Kabul. The foreign policy underwent an overhaul during the last year with focus on ‘Pakistan first’, balancing ties with global powers and players, recalibration of Afghan policy, emphasis on trade not aid and importantly signing of a historic defence pact with brotherly country Saudi Arabia envisaging attack on one country an attack on both. In the realm of economy, the process of structural reforms coupled with the proper use of diplomatic cards, produced desired results in the shape of much-needed stabilization. People heaved a sigh of relief as inflation remained within manageable limits but expectations of the people vis-à-vis trickledown effect of improvement in economic conditions did not materialize. Much needs to be done on the governance side to check profiteering, hoarding and breaking the back of different mafias that resist transfer of benefits to the common man that should have accrued due to falling prices of oil and other commodities in the international market. It is satisfying that there was no worthwhile political upheaval despite continued political tension caused by a wide difference of perception by the Government and the Opposition. Former Prime Minister and founder Chairman of PTI Imran Khan and his spouse were awarded long-term sentences by relevant courts, ensuring they remain behind bars and prompting calls within the party circles to review the existing strategy of confrontation in favour of reconciliation. There is an impression that the parliament has not been able to play its due role but it exerted its right to legislate and amend the Constitution leading to bifurcation of powers of the Supreme Court and creation of a new Constitutional post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). In a significant development, a court-martial sentenced former ISI chief Lt. Gen (Rtd) Faiz Hameed to 14 years’ imprisonment on charges including political interference and violations of the Official Secrets Act — an extraordinary verdict in the checkered history of the country. PIA was successfully privatized raising hopes for some meaningful transactions during the New Year. Prospects are positive and the country can move forward towards realization of its cherished goals provided it addresses the challenges thrown by terrorism and political instability.
