Tackling terrorism

The beginning of the 2000s brought a demanding challenge for Pakistan: its fight against terrorism. At least two generations grew up in a perpetual state of chaos and uncertainty where they kept a tab on the number of people lost in deadly blasts. International investment started to fizzle, and the country got pushed back in the race of economic growth. For years, all our resources were utilised to minimise the terrorism threat. But all the progress made over the years has fallen flat. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Pakistan has risen to the second-most terrorism-affected country in the world. Last year, the country reported an eye-popping 45 per cent increase in terrorism-related deaths, with the number of the dead reaching 1,081. The number of terrorist attacks has also more than doubled, surging from 517 in 2023 to 1,099 in 2024. For Pakistan, this is the fifth consecutive year of rising terrorism-related deaths. The latest data also reveals that the TTP is the fastest-growing terrorist group, with a 90 per cent increase in attributed deaths. The resurgence of violence poses an existential threat to Pakistan’s internal security, destabilising not just conflict-prone areas but also spreading fear across urban centers.

This surge in terrorism is linked to the rise of the Afghan Taliban and the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Pakistan’s shaky relationship with this neighbour has further exacerbated the situation as Afghanistan has not cooperated with us in ensuring that Afghan soil is not used as a safe haven by terrorists. The sour relations between the two countries have strengthened the TTP which continues to carry out attacks with more impunity. Just last week, an affiliate of the TTP claimed the attack in Bannu that targeted security forces -- around five soldiers and 13 civilians embraced martyrdom. While the security forces were able to eliminate all the 16 terrorists involved in the attack, the episode once again reminds us of the challenges we have to endure. It would not be a stretch to say that instability in Pakistan is also in the interest of India, which often adds fuel to the fire, quite discreetly. Then, the economic instability also allows extremist groups to make more recruits. Years of instability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and the lack of empathy shown by successive governments have created sharp divisions among people who are then easily lured by extremists to join their ranks. The widespread use of social media platforms by extremist groups has also allowed them to reach out to more disgruntled people. These groups manipulate narratives, exploiting public frustration and alienation to serve their radical agendas.

The government also shares the blame here. For years, it followed an appeasement policy, without realising that rehabilitation has to be accompanied also by strict punishments to set an example, deterring others to follow the same path. It is still not too late. The government should take stringent measures against extremist groups. As terror attacks rise, we will risk pushing foreign investors away from our country. The loss of investor confidence and declining tourism revenue only deepen our economic woes. Pakistan has barely brought itself back on track, and it cannot afford any disruptions. It has to draft a zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.