ISLAMABAD: Political violence rose by as much as 37 per cent during the second quarter of 2012 (April-June), as compared with the January-March quarter, with as many as 709 incidents of violence reported across the country, says a Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) report.
According to the report released on Monday, Sindh reported the most incidents (280) with Balochistan (172), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (121), Punjab (68), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (61), Gilgit-Baltistan (4) and Islamabad Capital Territory (3).
Sindh remained the most exposed region reporting the highest number of incidents - 93 recorded in April, another 89 the following month and 98 in June.
Karachi was the most violent district where 268 political incidents occurred – a 114 per cent increase. Quetta had 74 incidents, followed by Peshawar (31), Khyber Agency (24), Rawalpindi (18), Bannu (15), Dera Bugti and Hangu (13 each), Lahore (12) and Kohat (11).
A total of 2,658 people fell victim to political violence - a 30 per cent increase compared with the preceding quarter. 38 per cent of the victims lost their lives, 59 per cent were injured and three per cent kidnapped.
95 per cent of the victims were male - 971 dead, 1,466 injured and 84 kidnapped. However, women constituted five per cent of the total victims, 33 killed, 93 injured and 11 kidnapped.
Target killing incidents numbered 440 in all regions except for ICT – the most (248; 56%) taking place in Sindh followed by Balochistan (24%), KP (12%), Punjab (4%), FATA (3%) and Gilgit/Baltistan (1%).
The number of victims in collateral damage increased 170% as compared with the previous quarter - 717 people becoming collateral victims in incidents of political violence – 105 getting killed and 612 injured.
The number of victims affiliated with different political parties surged198 per cent (131 as compared with 44 in the previous quarter). 59 per cent got killed, 40 per cent injured and one percent kidnapped. Sindh was the most vulnerable province in this regard, accounting for 74 per cent incidents.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was the most affected political party with 49 victims – 36 killed and 13 injured. Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) had 23 victims, followed by Jamaat-e-Islami (21), Sunni Tehreek (11) and Awami National Party, (eight).
People belonging to MQM were targeted in Sindh and Balochistan while those of PPPP in Sindh and Punjab, JI (FATA), ST and JSQM (Sindh), ANP (Sindh, Balochistan and KP), PMLN (KP, Punjab and FATA).
Target killing remained the most recurring type of violence with 440 incidents, followed by terrorism aimed at general public and attacks on security forces (74 each), violent protests (33), tribal conflict (16), educational institutions/personnel, political party candidates, workers, offices (15 each) and religious/sectarian violence (nine).
Guns, firearms were the most common tool of violence, used in 76 per cent of the incidents.
COMMENTS (10)
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@liberal pk Open your eyes read from where this Is filed it's Islamabad not Karachi secondly data is collected by FAFEN not by journalist lastly do you remember any other name of journalist killed in other parts of Pakistan this year?
Despite the claim that MQM is the most targeted party, why is than MQM opposing desalinization of Karachi ????????????????
@liberal_pak if you would've talked about negative reporting against certain handfull political parties I would've supported you. You do now have one proof yet continue to lay allegation and spread false propaganda.
The beauty of articles and reports like this is; that other parties buy and extort humbleness on the basis of CASH for there respective partive, but for MQM; the truth comes out it self. All the propaganda's and ploys unfold themselves; without the party having to do any thing.
Hazrat Ali (R.A); stated: Kisi say inti nafrat mat karo; key uski achaiyee bhi tumhe buri lagey.
If MQM is victim then why on earth they always oppose any operation against criminals? SC has clearly mentioned in its decision that which party has militant wings and how they operate in Karachi through politics of violence. Wali babar Shaheed lost his life as Journalist for exposing criminals, so fair reporting is turning to be hot bed for Karachi based Journalists. One can understand how news are being manipulated to favor one party.
Reporter fears doing any fair reporting because they know what happened to Wali babar Shaheed. And this report is an attempt to prove MQM once again as an innocent party of Pakistan. If MQM is victim, why on earth they resist any operation against criminals in Karachi? Why they oppose active operation and deweaponization in Karachi?
This # and 15000 + dating back to FAKE, ILLEGITAMATE 92 Operation, plus more counting in between these 20 years. MQM has sacrificed most for this country; yet we are trailed through media, labeled as traitors, terrorists, RAW agents, extortionists; WHAT'S NEXT? On EVERY Single occassion the prepetrators of these false accusation have clarified these fake ploys and propaganda levied against MQM by its opponents. HAQ PARASTI MAUT TAK!!!
Mush had thrown the entire Country into war to get his dictatorship legitimized... But it also Shows failure of Government !
There is some reporting mistake probably all victims pertains to MQM, please correct your records. Thanks
The incidents it self explain that there is no political tolerance in the country.
If the situation will remain the same, how general elections would takes place on the due date?
Highest casualities, And still blame it all on MQM