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 review, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace ( IEP), highlights a worrying increase in criminal activity in the country, with incidents from violence surging by 45 per cent in 2024.
Mortality rose from 748 in 2023 to 1, 081 in 2024, one of the sharpest increases worldwide, Geo News reported.
The number of terrorist strikes also more than doubled, rising from 517 in 2023 to 1, 099 in 2024. This marked the first time since the GTI’s founding that assaults exceeded 1, 000 in a single season. 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 party in Pakistan, accounting for 52 per cent of all terrorism-related incidents.
The group carried out 482 attacks in 2024, resulting in 558 deaths —a 90 per cent increase from the previous year. The GTI record stated,” Since the Afghan Taliban took power in 2021, TTP has expanded its activities by using safe havens across the border, allowing it to start attacks with greater convenience”.
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both bordering Afghanistan, remained the worst-hit areas, experiencing over 96 per cent of all terrorist instances 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.
Strikes by BLA and similar organizations surged from 116 in 2023 to 504 in 2024, with murders rising from 88 to 388.
The GTI review even places Pakistan’s violence problems in a world environment, 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 violence. The Sahel place remained the centre of violence, accounting for over half of all international mortality.
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 document also highlighted the changing nature of violence, especially in the West, where “lone wolf” problems accounted for 93 per share of dangerous situations over the past five years. Social media, gaming systems, and encrypted messaging programs have played a major part in radicalisation.
The Israel-Gaza discord has further fuelled international tensions, leading to a surge in racist and Antisemitic hate crimes, especially in the US and Europe.
Steve Killelea, founder and executive chairman of the IEP, noted that the earth is witnessing an increase in both classic and emerging threats.
He stated,” This week’s Global Terrorism Index shows two important issues, first, 98 per cent of all criminal incidents occurred in conflict areas, with 2024 recording the highest number of conflicts since World War II. Third, social tensions and discontent within the West are fuelling lone professional terrorism”.
