Pakistan Declared Worst Victim of Terrorism in Global Index 2026
The Global Terrorism Index 2026, published in March by the Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), has ranked Pakistan as the country most severely impacted by terrorism in 2025. This marks the first time Pakistan has topped such a list, highlighting a dire security situation that demands urgent attention.
Key Findings and Indicators
The report evaluated 163 countries, covering 99.7 percent of the global population, based on critical indicators including the number of terrorist incidents, fatalities, injuries, and hostages. In 2025, Pakistan recorded 1,139 deaths across 1,045 terrorist incidents, representing the highest death toll since 2013. Terror-related deaths increased by 6 percent since 2020, with Pakistan experiencing six times as many incidents in 2025 compared to 2020.
While terrorism declined from 2014 to 2019, the recent resurgence has been stark. Civilian deaths decreased by nearly 14 percent in 2025 compared to 2024, but police fatalities rose by approximately 38 percent, primarily due to attacks by the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Primary Sources of Terrorism
The report identifies two main drivers of the sharp increase in terrorist activity:
- Strained relations with neighboring countries, particularly Afghanistan following the Taliban's return to power in 2021.
- Rising violence from banned groups such as the TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which pose significant security challenges requiring coordinated military, political, and socio-economic responses.
A notable event in 2025 was the hijacking of the Jaffer Express train by the BLA, resulting in 442 hostages taken. This hostage crisis significantly contributed to Pakistan's top ranking in the Index, as it was the only indicator showing a deterioration in the security situation.
Escalating Pak-Afghan Conflict
The report notes that the latent Pak-Afghan conflict erupted openly in February 2026, with Pakistan declaring a state of war against Afghanistan and launching airstrikes on Kabul and Kandahar. This new phase is expected to cause population displacement, weaken border control, and create security vacuums that could benefit groups like the TTP and Islamic State Khurasan Province (ISKP).
Similarly, the U.S. Annual Threat Assessment 2026 highlights Pakistan's growing frustration with terrorist groups seeking refuge in Afghanistan, especially in the hilly border areas. Despite calls for dialogue from the Afghan Taliban, tensions remain high, pushing South Asia toward potential conflict.
Broader Regional Implications
Both reports underscore growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with terrorism-related violence threatening to ravage Pakistan and destabilize South Asia. Additionally, Pakistan's Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement with Saudi Arabia, signed in September 2025, risks embroiling the country in Middle Eastern conflicts. Although not aimed at Iran, this agreement could be misconstrued, particularly if Iranian missile strikes inadvertently hit Saudi assets, sparking sectarian divides within Pakistan.
Future Challenges and Recommendations
The year 2026 poses significant tests for Pakistan's commitment to internal law and order and amicable foreign relations. Concerns include:
- Potential involvement in defending Saudi borders during Iran-Saudi skirmishes, which could divert attention from domestic security.
- Opportunities for terrorist groups like the TTP, ISKP, and BLA to intensify activities amid external commitments, exacerbating internal sectarian tensions.
- The need to avoid lasting resentment from Iran, a neighboring state, to prevent further foreign policy upheavals.
Pakistan must act wisely during this period of relative calm to safeguard against terrorism and avoid jeopardizing relations with key neighbors. Strategic rethinking is essential to prevent the country from being caught between a rock and a hard place, ensuring long-term stability and peace.
