Stories
Pakistan Tops Global Terrorism Index 2026; Ex-Envoy Haqqani Blames Past Policies
- •Pakistan has emerged as the country most impacted by terrorism in the Global Terrorism Index 2026, with former ambassador Husain Haqqani attributing it to past policies of supporting extremist groups.
- •The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) report indicates Pakistan recorded 1,139 deaths and 1,045 terrorist incidents in 2025, marking the highest terrorism-related deaths since 2013.
- •Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for over 74% of attacks and 67% of deaths in Pakistan, with increased militant activity linked to the Taliban's return in Afghanistan and rising violence by TTP and BLA.
- •The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was Pakistan's deadliest terrorist organization for the fifth consecutive year, responsible for 56% of terrorism-related deaths in 2025 and identified as the world's third-deadliest terrorist group.
- •Globally, terrorism deaths fell by 28% in 2025, but Pakistan alone accounted for approximately 20% of global terrorism deaths, highlighting its unique and deteriorating security situation.
Key Questions Answered
Pakistan ranked number one in the 2026 index with a score of 8.574, recording 1,139 deaths and 1,045 terrorist incidents in 2025. This marked the first time Pakistan reached the top position since the index began, driven by a six percent rise in terrorism-related deaths and escalating border violence.
The western border regions of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the main centers of terrorist activity, accounting for over 74 percent of terrorist attacks and 67 percent of terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan during 2025.
The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was Pakistan's deadliest terrorist organization for the fifth consecutive year, accounting for 56 percent of terrorism-related deaths in the country in 2025 through 595 attacks that caused 637 deaths.
