Pakistan Tops Global Terrorism Index For First Time
The Institute for Economics and Peace says Pakistan has topped the Global Terrorism Index for the first time, recording the highest impact from terrorist attacks last year.
The Institute for Economics and Peace says Pakistan has topped the Global Terrorism Index for the first time, recording the highest impact from terrorist attacks last year.
The organisation said the sharp rise in militant activity is partly a consequence of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The report states that Islamic State remains the world’s deadliest terrorist group, although its geographic reach has shrunk from 22 countries to 15. It also identifies Jama'at Nusrat ul-Islam wal-Muslimin, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and al-Shabaab as among the most dangerous groups.
According to the report, nearly 70% of terrorism-related deaths occurred in just five countries: Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Institute for Economics and Peace said: “For the first time, Pakistan recorded the highest score on the Index and is the country most impacted by terrorism.” It added that the surge in attacks is partly linked to the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan.
The report also highlights that Pakistan’s strained relations with its neighbours, along with increased attacks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army, have created serious security challenges.
It added that terrorism-related deaths in Pakistan have reached their highest level since 2013. In 2025, the country recorded 1,139 deaths and 1,045 terrorist incidents.
This marks Pakistan’s deadliest year since 2013. According to the report, Pakistan is the only country where conditions worsened in 2025, with most attacks occurring in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
For the first time since the index was introduced, Afghanistan is not among the 10 countries most affected by terrorism.
However, the report stresses that the decline in terrorist attacks in Afghanistan does not necessarily mean peace or an end to violence. It notes that the index does not account for state repression or violence by state actors, meaning actions by the Taliban administration are not included in the assessment.
The rise in terrorist attacks in Pakistan has also strained its relations with the Taliban. Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that insecurity in their country originates from Afghan territory, accusing the Taliban of supporting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch separatists.
In recent months, deadly clashes have taken place between the two sides. The Taliban, however, deny supporting armed groups opposed to Pakistan.
