Pakistan has emerged as an exception among Muslim-majority nations in its perception of the United States during the recent Iran conflict. A new study released by the Pew Research Center found that Pakistan was the only Muslim-majority country surveyed where favourable views of the US improved, while attitudes toward Washington either declined or remained unchanged across much of the Muslim world.
The report, titled What Happens When War Breaks Out in the Middle of a Survey?, explored how major geopolitical developments can influence public opinion when they occur during an ongoing survey period.
Researchers suggested that the timing of the survey may have played an important role in shaping Pakistani public opinion. Fieldwork in Pakistan began on April 8, shortly after Ramadan and around the time Islamabad hosted the first round of indirect talks between the United States and Iran. As tensions escalated in the region, Pakistan attempted to position itself as a diplomatic intermediary rather than a direct participant in the conflict.
The regional crisis intensified after military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, leading to wider tensions across the Middle East. During this period, Pakistan sought to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the United States and Iran had agreed to a ceasefire, a development that reinforced Pakistan’s image as a mediator and promoter of diplomacy.
According to the researchers, Pakistan’s visible role in peace efforts may have contributed to the more positive attitudes toward the United States recorded during the survey.
Different Trends Across Muslim-Majority Countries
The findings contrasted sharply with trends observed elsewhere. Countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, and Nigeria either registered declining perceptions of the United States or showed no meaningful improvement during the same period.
India also recorded a noticeable decline in favourable views of the US, making Pakistan’s shift stand out even more prominently within the broader regional context.
Economic Concerns and the Strait of Hormuz
The report highlighted economic uncertainty linked to the Middle East conflict as one factor influencing public attitudes in many countries. Concerns surrounding energy supplies moving through the Strait of Hormuz played a significant role, particularly for nations heavily dependent on imported fuel.
Bangladesh was identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to potential disruptions. As global energy prices rose and fears of supply interruptions grew, public confidence in the domestic economy weakened and favourable perceptions of the United States declined.
Indonesia, which also imports a substantial portion of its energy requirements, faced similar concerns, although its exposure was somewhat lower.
In contrast, Malaysia and Nigeria are major energy producers and exporters. Since they are less dependent on shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, researchers suggested that their views of the United States were likely shaped more by broader geopolitical considerations than by energy security concerns alone.
The Pew study surveyed roughly 1,000 adults in most participating countries and formed part of a wider global survey involving approximately 42,000 respondents.
Positive Views of the US, But Not of Trump
Although perceptions of the United States improved in Pakistan, attitudes toward US President Donald Trump remained overwhelmingly negative.
The survey asked respondents whether they had confidence in six world leaders to handle international affairs responsibly: Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Across the 36 countries surveyed, only a median of 23% expressed confidence in Trump. His ratings were lower than those of Macron, Zelenskyy, Xi, and Putin. Among the leaders assessed, only Netanyahu received lower overall confidence levels.
Pakistan reflected this broader trend. While attitudes toward the United States improved, confidence in Trump remained extremely limited. About 82% of Pakistani respondents said they had little or no confidence in him, while only 12% expressed confidence in his handling of global affairs.
By contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping received exceptionally strong support in Pakistan. Around 83% of respondents said they had confidence in Xi, underscoring China’s considerable influence and positive image within the country.
Negative perceptions of Trump were also evident across other Muslim-majority nations. The survey found that 63% of respondents in Bangladesh, 78% in Indonesia, 87% in Malaysia, and 92% in Turkey expressed little or no confidence in the US president.
In India, opinions were more mixed, with 36% of respondents expressing a lack of confidence in Trump. Russian President Vladimir Putin emerged as one of the more trusted international leaders among Indian respondents.
Concerns About US Influence Remain
Despite the improvement in Pakistan’s overall view of the United States, concerns regarding American involvement in domestic affairs remained widespread.
The survey found that 76% of Pakistani respondents believed that the United States interferes in their country’s internal matters. This indicates that while attitudes toward Washington may have improved during the period studied, longstanding suspicions about American influence continue to persist.
Similar views were recorded elsewhere. Majorities in Bangladesh, Turkey, Indonesia, and Nigeria also believed that the United States interferes in their domestic affairs.
The findings suggest that Pakistan’s role in diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran may have contributed to a temporary improvement in perceptions of Washington. At the same time, deeper concerns about foreign influence and political intervention remain firmly embedded in public opinion.
Overall, the Pew study highlights how diplomatic positioning during a major international crisis can influence public attitudes, with Pakistan emerging as a rare case where favourable views of the United States improved while much of the Muslim world moved in the opposite direction.
