How much does the average Pakistani know about IS?

E-Paper | June 16, 2026

Pakistan's response to a recent Pew Research Survey conducted in Muslim-majority countries raised more than a few eyebrows.

While most countries with significant Muslim populations oppose the self-styled Islamic State (IS), Pakistan became a notable exception, as the majority — 62% — offered no conclusive opinion.

When a Pew researcher was asked on Twitter by one observer whether it is clear if Pakistanis are aware of IS, he responded saying it was not.

We decided to venture out onto Karachi's bustling I.I Chundrigar Road to ask passers-by what (if anything) they knew about IS.

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Pakistan

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Haroon

Nov 23, 2015 03:44pm

Even 9 percent who went in favor of IS cling alarm-bells for me. If the number will be extrapolated to the total population then 9 percent of 200 million is more than 18 million ( 1.8 crore).

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Hussain Rehber

Nov 23, 2015 03:52pm

They are terrorists made by USA, Israel. and it is funded by KSA, QATAR, TURKEY FRANCE, BRITAIN. NO TO ISIS

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naji

Nov 23, 2015 04:06pm

100% Pakistani do not know nothing about IS, however few who claim some awareness about IS, don't understand anything, I mean even few %. Pakistani, right from top brass (Pres. PM to layman) are ignored about world.

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Nov 23, 2015 04:19pm

There are some questions: 1-Is it an state owned military ? If NO from where they get resources to have hi tech ammunition & vehicles. 2- Is it so powerful that most advanced nations like USA & others need to fight it ? It is very clear this small group is sponsored by USA & Israel - just to give bad name to Islam & misguide the Muslims The other side of the picture is that if they are truly be Islamic than Palestine is very near so they should go there & liberate it by fighting with Jews instead of killing only innocent & poor Muslims.

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Mr. ?

Nov 23, 2015 04:25pm

In our great country isn't it obvious-"Ignorance is Bliss"

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azure

Nov 23, 2015 04:26pm

Pakistanis might know about ISIS, but I am pretty sure, that they will summarily reject their ideology. I am confident that Pakistanis won't be lured to Islamic State in the name of Islam.

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Ali

Nov 23, 2015 04:32pm

Pakistani even know their author, who created? for what purpose created? and who will get benefits?

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Aman

Nov 23, 2015 04:55pm

ITs batter to call them Daesh

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Pakistani

Nov 23, 2015 05:03pm

Interestingly Israel is in the Survey whereas the rest are all Muslim countries (Not sure of Burkina)..... and Palestine is given as a "TERRITORY" hence the surveyor's do not consider it a country....

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lafanga

Nov 23, 2015 05:15pm

Think about this statement for a minute and ponder over it ... The more you watch the Western news media, the more you know about ISIS or Daesh.

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Syed Mohammad Husain

Nov 23, 2015 05:40pm

You should get a poll for Indian Muslims. This poll is a good indicator about trends in Pakistan and should be conducted for opinion about TTP also.

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raza

Nov 23, 2015 05:49pm

We all know very well what these surveys are supposed to achieve.They are all paid and target oriented ,we have the example of PILDAT survey recently conducted which showed PML N as the most popular party and NS & SS as most popular leaders,so please spare us these surveys. As for this Daish we are well aware who and why it is created and how come the oil wells of Mosul are still functioning generating revenue for Daish and providing oil for Turkey and EU on 50% less price.Hope you get the picture.

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Tough Tr5

Nov 23, 2015 05:55pm

I am sure even news media itself doesn't know much about ISIS. Leave alone the ordinary like me. Everything is under cloud of ignorance.

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Chris

Nov 23, 2015 05:56pm

If you really want to understand ISIS read this: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/03/what-isis-really-wants/384980/

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Adeel

Nov 23, 2015 06:25pm

The government and media need to do a better job of explaining the evils of groups like ISIS. These groups are carrying out barbaric acts all in the name of Islam and the biggest casualties are ordinary muslims. Terror must be stopped at all cost!! Salute to Gen Raheel Sharif for taking the initiative, but we all need to play our part in resisting and eliminating groups like these.

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Adeel

Nov 23, 2015 06:27pm

@Haroon I would guess most if not all of that 9%'s view is not based on facts or logic but more out of frustration and distrust of the west in general. I bet once they understand the damage these groups are causing, the minds will change.

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M.Saeed

Nov 23, 2015 06:47pm

Unless we have it bang on our heads, we never agree on anything. This not yet our backyard on fire. So,we don't care. This is our national psyche.

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Nov 23, 2015 06:51pm

62% either don't know or on the wall, not good, 9t028 is perhaps the highest favorable to unfavorable ratio not at all good

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Nov 23, 2015 06:54pm

@Adeel thats more than enough for IS

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Amir

Nov 23, 2015 07:35pm

If the poll conducted is GENUINE the result is not surprising at all. The majority of our population is poorly educated and living from hand to mouth, thanks to our parasite jagirdar rulers past and current who have never made education a priority, are too preoccupied with their own problematic lives to know or care what is happening in the world.

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Muhammad Waseem Unar

Nov 23, 2015 07:47pm

no need.

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Nov 23, 2015 07:55pm

I wouldn't worry of the 9%. What worrisome is the 62% Don't know. Who doesn't know about ISIS? I would think most of the 62% are in favor but don't want to admit it.

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imran

Nov 23, 2015 08:52pm

I am an average Pakistani and I know a lot about ISIS/Daesh. Please stop insulting the intelligence of the average Pakistani.

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AHA

Nov 23, 2015 09:26pm

@Haroon : A very interesting observation. It is a reality that while extremists among us are a minority, their number is not at all small. A very scary situation.

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MIRGHAFFAR

Nov 23, 2015 09:29pm

i think this 62% niether agree or disagree with IS ideology. even this is very great threat that people have no complete knowledge about this giant menace. those who have soft corner for Talibans,they might have same feelings for IS.

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Nov 23, 2015 10:29pm

pakistan is the land of pure, the IS is well suited for the region.

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rajat

Nov 23, 2015 10:58pm

adeel i agree wid ur statement none of the religion permit innocent killings i m not muslim but i know the basics of islam, it is as pure as any other religion in the world

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gknatarajan

Nov 23, 2015 11:12pm

more tha 63% ,can not be ingnorant? many of them are in support but do not want to say so!

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Lodhi

Nov 24, 2015 12:05am

This is where the media must play their role,educate people,get the word out.Its a shame that media always wants to be the first to break the bad news but never ever puts the effort to bringing good information.I doubt my comment will get published but its a fact.Some times its better to do more than fanning the fire.

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Nov 24, 2015 03:33am

Better question to ask - What is Daesh... 9% who support ISIS is alarming. which is close to saying 1 in 10 supports it. That does not by any means mean few or minor population.. There are others who would support other terrorist organizations and a cumulative number is close to 20-25%

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Nov 24, 2015 05:11am

Why the media is giving coverage to this group?

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Omran

Nov 24, 2015 05:18am

We average Pakistanis are worried for their daily meal, Petrol prices,Kids education, Rent,growing terrorism at home and daily Daal Roti, who cares and have time to read what ISIS is and doing in world....

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Azhar jamil

Nov 24, 2015 11:20am

Most of Pakistani public surviving hard for their bread n butter... They have no spare time for this meaningless organisation.

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