Violence claims more lives in Pakistan in 2023

In a stark revelation, Pakistan experienced a distressing surge in violence throughout the year 2023, with a total of 1,524 fatalities and 1,463 injuries resulting from 789 terror attacks and counter-terror operations, according to a comprehensive annual security report by the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).

This alarming figure included nearly 1,000 civilian and security forces personnel fatalities, marking a record six-year high and surpassing the levels recorded in 2018. The report highlighted that the country witnessed a persistent escalation in violence for the third consecutive year, with an increasing trend noted each year since 2021.

The provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan emerged as the epicenters of this surge in violence, accounting for over 90 percent of all fatalities and 84 percent of attacks. Punjab and Sindh, on the other hand, remained relatively peaceful, collectively experiencing only 8 percent of all fatalities in 2023. These findings underscore the localized nature of the violence, with certain regions bearing the brunt of the escalating unrest.

The annual security report noted a staggering 56 percent increase in violence compared to the previous year, marking an unprecedented escalation in the last decade. Balochistan and KP recorded particularly alarming upticks of 57 percent and 55 percent, respectively, contributing significantly to the overall surge. Punjab experienced a 96 percent rise in violence, though the number of fatalities remained comparatively low, while Sindh witnessed a 26 percent increase.