They have little sympathy for Islamist military groups and rejects “Talibanization” of the country and supports recent government efforts to reform the madrassah system, said the survey conducted by WorldPublicOpinion.org with assistance from the US Institute of Peace.

“While Pakistan is racked by conflict between leaders and groups vying for power, this poll indicates that most Pakistanis largely agree on a moderate and democratic Islamic state,” Steven Kull of WorldPublicOpinion.org said in a statement recently.

“The good news is that majority of Pakistanis view most militant groups in Pakistan as a threat. The bad news is that many Pakistanis view the US with great suspicion,” Christine Fair of the RAND Corporation, formerly at the US Institute of Peace, remarked.

There is a growing Pakistani perception that the United States is hostile to their desire for a more Islamic society.

Indeed, 86 per cent now say it is definitely (70%) or probably (16%) a US goal to “weaken and divide the Islamic world.” The survey finds strong public support for a wider role for Islam.

Asked to gauge the importance of living “in a country that is governed according to Islamic principles (Sharia)” on a 10-point scale, 61 per cent give an answer of 10 (meaning absolutely important).