Islamabad: Pakistan has been ranked as the most terrorism-affected country in the world for the first time, according to the Global Terrorism Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace. The 2025 report shows a 6% increase in terrorism-related deaths, reaching 1,139—the highest since 2013. A total of 1,045 terrorist incidents were recorded, marking the sixth consecutive year of rising fatalities. Pakistan scored 8.574, surpassing Burkina Faso to take the top spot.
The report highlights that nearly 70% of global terrorism deaths occurred in just five countries: Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Pakistan, the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan bore the brunt, accounting for over 74% of attacks and 67% of deaths.
The surge is largely attributed to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), considered the deadliest terrorist group in the country and the third most dangerous globally. In 2025, TTP carried out 595 attacks, a 24% increase from the previous year, resulting in 637 deaths—the highest since 2011. TTP has been responsible for more than 67% of all attacks in Pakistan since 2009, far surpassing the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) in frequency. The Taliban’s return to Afghanistan has reportedly strengthened TTP’s cross-border operational capabilities.
Kidnapping incidents also surged in 2025, with hostages rising from 101 to 655, including 442 in the Jafar Express attack alone. Cross-border tensions with Afghanistan, particularly along the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa frontier, have contributed to increased attacks on military and civilian targets.
Globally, TTP was the only top-four deadly organization to increase activities, while other major terrorist groups recorded declines. The report underscores Pakistan’s weak internal security, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and warns of a deteriorating situation: Pakistan had been second in 2024 but has now risen to the top position. South Asia emerged as the most terrorism-affected region, with Pakistan as the only country showing worsening conditions, while neighboring countries, including India, saw improvements.
