Pakistan has been ranked as the second most affected country in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025, witnessing a staggering 45% rise in terrorism-related deaths over the past year.
According to the latest report by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the country recorded 1,081 fatalities, marking the highest increase in terrorism-related deaths in the past decade.
The report reveals that terrorist incidents in Pakistan have surged drastically, with attacks more than doubling from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024.
The hardest-hit regions remain Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where militant organizations continue to launch deadly attacks.
The Role of Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Rising Terrorism
- Taliban’s Takeover of Afghanistan: The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan has provided TTP and other extremist groups with operational space and resources to carry out their attacks inside Pakistan.
- Weak Counterterrorism Measures: Despite ongoing military operations, Pakistan has struggled to implement effective long-term counterterrorism policies, allowing groups like TTP to regroup and launch more attacks.
The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), in particular, has escalated attacks, with the number of incidents surging from 116 in 2023 to 504 in 2024.
The BLA was responsible for Pakistan’s deadliest terror attack of 2024 in Quetta, further destabilizing the already volatile region.
Despite these counterterrorism efforts, Pakistan faces numerous challenges in fully eradicating terrorism from its soil.
Challenges in Combating Terrorism
- Judicial Inefficiency – Slow prosecution processes and a lack of witness protection programs hinder the conviction of terrorists.
- Socioeconomic Factors – Widespread poverty, unemployment, and lack of education continue to serve as recruitment tools for extremist groups.
Pakistan’s deteriorating security situation has drawn international attention. Global powers and regional allies have expressed concerns over the country’s ability to control militant activities, particularly after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The country must adopt Pakistan ranked a multifaceted approach to address the root causes of terrorism and enhance its counterterrorism strategies
 2025, with a 45% rise in terrorism-related deaths.){kind=link}