Pakistan has been ranked as the second-most terrorism-affected country in the world, moving up from its previous fourth position, according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 report.
The report, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), highlights a worrying increase in terrorist activity in the country, with deaths from terrorism surging by 45 per cent in 2024.
Fatalities rose from 748 in 2023 to 1,081 in 2024, one of the sharpest increases globally, Geo News reported.
The number of terrorist attacks also more than doubled, rising from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024. This marked the first time since the GTI’s inception that attacks exceeded 1,000 in a single year. The report links this surge to the growing influence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has exploited the situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power.
The TTP remained the deadliest terrorist group in Pakistan, accounting for 52 per cent of all terrorism-related deaths.
The group carried out 482 attacks in 2024, resulting in 558 deaths—a 90 per cent increase from the previous year. The GTI report stated, “Since the Afghan Taliban took control in 2021, TTP has expanded its operations by using safe havens across the border, allowing it to launch attacks with greater ease.”
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both bordering Afghanistan, remained the worst-hit regions, experiencing over 96 per cent of all terrorist incidents in Pakistan. The deadliest attack of 2024 was a suicide bombing at Quetta railway station, carried out by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), killing at least 25 people, including civilians and soldiers.
Attacks by BLA and similar groups surged from 116 in 2023 to 504 in 2024, with deaths rising from 88 to 388.
The GTI report also places Pakistan’s terrorism crisis in a global context, noting that terrorism-related deaths worldwide increased by 11 per cent in 2024.
Burkina Faso, Pakistan, and Syria recorded the highest number of deaths from terrorism. The Sahel region remained the epicentre of terrorism, accounting for over half of all global fatalities.
The Islamic State (IS) remained the deadliest terrorist organisation, responsible for 1,805 deaths, primarily in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The report also highlighted the changing nature of terrorism, particularly in the West, where “lone wolf” attacks accounted for 93 per cent of fatal incidents over the past five years. Social media, gaming platforms, and encrypted messaging apps have played a significant role in radicalisation.
The Israel-Gaza conflict has further fuelled global tensions, leading to a rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes, particularly in the US and Europe.
Steve Killelea, founder and executive chairman of the IEP, noted that the world is witnessing an increase in both traditional and emerging threats.
He stated, “This year’s Global Terrorism Index highlights two key concerns, firstly, 98 per cent of all terrorist deaths occurred in conflict zones, with 2024 recording the highest number of conflicts since World War II. Secondly, social tensions and dissatisfaction within the West are fuelling lone actor terrorism.”
