ISLAMABAD: According to a Gilani Research Foundation survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan, majority of the Pakistanis consider practicing religion as the most important thing in their lives. Forty percent (40%) of the respondents ranked ‘Practicing Religion’ number one on a ten point scale. It is followed by ‘Finding Employment’, ‘Getting Education’, and ‘High Standard of Living’ among many other things that are perceived to be important in one’s life.

When the respondents were asked “Many things are important in life, please rate on a 10 point scale how important the following things are for you”, forty percent (40%) ranked ‘Practicing Religion’ on number one. Slightly higher percentage of urbanites as compared to ruralites thinks that practicing religion is the most important thing for them.

‘Finding Employment’ was ranked number one by 25% of the respondents. A higher percentage of ruralites (30%) as compared to the urbanites (15%) claimed that getting a job is the top most priority for them.

Sixteen percent (16%) of the respondents said ‘Getting Education’ is the most essential thing in life for them. They ranked it number one on a ten point scale. The survey reveals that proportionately a higher percentage of people falling in the 50+ age group (23%) believes getting education is very important as compared to those who are under 30 years of age (14%) and 31-50 age group (18%).

When asked to rate ‘High Standard of Living’, 12% of the respondents considered it to be number one. It is interesting to note that proportionately a higher percentage of people residing in rural areas (15%) think high standard of living is the most important thing in their life as compared to the urbanites (8%).

Having ‘Good Health’ is ranked number one by 9%, and to have a ‘Pleasant Life at Home’ is the most important thing in life for 7% of the respondents. ‘Living with Freedom in an Independent Country’ and ‘Living in a terrorism & Corruption Free Country’ are each believed to be a necessity in life by 6% of the respondents. While only 5% said ‘Living in a peaceful Country (war free)’ is the most important.

The study was released by Gilani foundation and carried out by Gallup Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International. The latest survey was carried out among a sample of 2624 men and women in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country during March, 2009. Error margin is estimated to be approximately + 2-3 per cent at 95% confidence level. NNI