Deteriorating Peace in Pakistan
In 2023, Pakistan ranked 4th on the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) with a score of 7.916 out of 10, reflecting a significant level of terrorism impact.
The impact of terrorism in Pakistan intensified significantly in 2023, with deaths from terrorist attacks rising by 35% to 689 the second largest year on year increase in the past decade. This marks the fourth consecutive year of escalating terrorism related deaths, accompanied by a 34% rise in the number of attacks, totaling 490 .Pakistan has reported 15,391 deaths from terrorism since 2007. Much of this increase is linked to the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, which has emboldened militant groups like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These groups have escalated their operations along the Pakistan Afghanistan border, heavily affecting the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Together, these regions accounted for 93% of terrorist attacks and 96% of terrorism-related deaths in 2023.
What role has the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan played in the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan?
The TTP emerged as the deadliest terrorist organization in Pakistan in 2023, responsible for 42% of terrorism-related deaths. The group conducted 210 attacks, resulting in 288 deaths, a 42% increase compared to the previous year. Their most devastating act was a suicide bombing in January 2023 at a mosque in Peshawar, claiming 84 lives and injuring over 200 others. This attack, targeting police officers, occurred in a high-security compound housing law enforcement headquarters, showcasing the group’s boldness. Meanwhile, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and other Baloch militant groups also escalated their attacks, nearly tripling their operations from 43 in 2022 to 110 in 2023, as deaths rose from 74 to 83.
These groups continue to exploit the government's inability to resolve demands for sovereignty, fueling the insurgency further. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for the surge in violence, a claim the Taliban has consistently denied. This tension reached new heights in October 2023 when Pakistan expelled over 1.5 million Afghans for lacking proper documentation. Such actions reflect a deepening rift between the two countries, exacerbating regional instability. With escalating violence and unresolved political tensions, Pakistan faces significant challenges in containing the growing threat of terrorism. Without effective regional cooperation and internal reforms, the current wave of violence is unlikely to subside.
GRAPHIC
Food, water, medicine and shelter are being weaponised by the top Israeli leadership as tools of starvation for civilian people of Gaza in a very systemic and organised way which especially targets vulnerable groups, children and women, in the conflict zone.
Globally, climate tech investments reached $73 billion in 2023, with Asia seeing a 19% year-over-year increase, driven by the energy and transport sectors, despite an overall slowdown.
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