Terror index

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Terrorism has pushed Pakistan into an existential crisis. The country is in the eye of the storm as non-state actors seem to be regrouping. Despite having lost more than 80,000 lives during the last two decades, Pakistan is on the edges as incursions from the western frontiers continue unabated.

It is highly unfortunate that Pakistan is ranked second on the Global Terrorism Index 2025, as terrorist attacks have risen by a staggering 45 per cent over the past year. The total number of deaths recorded in 2024 are 1081, with Pakistan ahead of a Balkanised Syria (ranked 3rd) and a war-torn Afghanistan (ranked 9th). Burkina Faso with one-fifth of all deaths globally tops the index.

This simply flags the gravity of dealing with an issue of global societal revulsion that inevitably brings with it death and destruction. As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is a victim of realpolitik and has been maneuvered and arm-twisted by major powers to become a frontline state fighting other's wars: be it the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan or the US obsession to bomb Taliban to Stone Age.

The dilemma is that after every expedition, Pakistan was left high and dry to deal with exigencies of civil strife and cross-border interventions from deadly entities – this time TTP, BLA and BLF. The restive provinces of Balochistan and K-P are, thus, the theatres of militancy, especially after the advent of Taliban 2.0 dispensation in Kabul.

The undesired ranking should lead Pakistan to do some introspection as to why its social mosaic is so divisive. It is a pity that Pakistan, despite having one of the best professional armies and intelligence systems, has not been able to stem terrorism. Perhaps, the armed forces have been dragged into matters that go beyond their mandate, like looking after the affairs of the state and civil functions.

The exigency on ground solicits armed forces complete devotion to their duty and not to be distracted with additional assignments in civil chores. Likewise, implementing National Action Plan and opting for a full-fledged hunt of monsters is the way to go.