ISLAMABAD: A recent survey conducted by Gallup Pakistan has revealed that 52% of Pakistanis are against love marriages.
The survey found that 52% of the respondents opposed love marriages, while 39% were in favour.
Notably, the highest opposition to love marriages came from urban areas, where 58% of people expressed objections, while in rural areas, the opposition rate was 49%.
According to a survey that included over 700 participants nationwide, a considerable portion of Pakistanis believe that marriages between individuals with political differences have become increasingly challenging.
The survey also added that certain groups consider political differences as a greater hurdle in strong relationships. Women, rural populations, and younger individuals, especially those under 30, viewed such marriages as problematic.
Among women, 48% felt that strong relations between political rivals were difficult, compared to 40% of men. In rural areas, 49% voiced concerns about political differences in marriages, while only 35% of the urban population felt the same way.
READ ALSO: Iran Getting Ready to Respond Against Israel
Regarding age, 56% of individuals under 30 believe political differences as a significant barrier to marriage, whereas 39% of people aged 30-50 shared this view. Even among those over 50, 30% believed that marrying someone with opposing political views was difficult.
According to a previous Gallup survey among married Pakistanis, 4 out of 5 have an arranged marriage. Survey findings revealed that men were 8% more likely than women to have a love marriage.
Additionally, there was minimal difference across rurality as urban residents were only 1% more likely to have a love marriage. Adults under the age of 30 had the highest rate of love marriage (21%) among all three age groups that were surveyed.
Love marriages are rare in Pakistan because they challenge the consent of, which is a powerful institution in Pakistani society. Many Pakistani parents oppose love marriages and view them as a symbol of irresponsible parenting.
