As elections near, political violence shoots up

FAFEN report details sharp increase from April to June.

There has been a 37% increase in violence recorded in the second quarter of the year compared to the January-March quarter. A report released by the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) details the number of incidents and the sharp rise.

A total of 2,658 people were affected by political violence in the country, out of which 1,004 people died between April and June, 2012. Based on news stories of incidents around the country, the report records politically-motivated electoral violence in the pre-election period.



Sindh was the most politically volatile province, with 280 incidents of violence recorded in three months, almost 40% of the total number of incidents in the country. Violence in Karachi alone accounted for 268 incidents, a 114% increase.

Targeted killings 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), attacks on educational institutions/personnel, political party candidates/workers/offices (15 each) and religious/sectarian violence (9).



An estimated 717 people died in collateral damage, which increased by 170%.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2012.