ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has become the second-most affected country in the world by “terrorist” violence, with deaths rising 45 percent to 1,081 in 2024, primarily due to attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 released this week.
The 12th annual GTI report, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, an Australian-based global think tank, ranked 163 countries in 2024, covering 99.7 percent of the world’s population and analyzing the impact of militant activities worldwide.
Pakistan has witnessed a massive surge in militant violence, including deadly suicide attacks, in its two western provinces bordering Afghanistan. Officials in Islamabad have accused Afghan authorities in Kabul of harboring anti-Pakistan groups and “facilitating” cross-border attacks, an allegation denied by the Afghan government.
The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been mostly targeted by the TTP, while Balochistan remains in the crosshairs of BLA separatists.
“Burkina Faso remains the country most impacted by terrorism this year [2024], despite attacks and deaths falling by 57 and 21 percent respectively,” the report said on Wednesday. “A fifth of all terrorism deaths globally were in Burkina Faso, followed by Pakistan and Syria.”
“Niger and Pakistan had the largest increases in deaths from terrorism, with increases of 94 and 45 percent respectively,” it added.
The report noted the impact of militant violence had increased significantly in Pakistan, with the number of deaths rising by 45 percent over the past year to 1,081.
It said the TTP was responsible for 52 percent of deaths in the country in 2024, carrying out 482 attacks, which resulted in 558 casualties.
Attacks by Baloch militant groups, including the BLA, also increased sharply, rising from 116 in 2023 to 504 in 2024. Deaths surged more than fourfold to 388, from 88 in the previous year.
Pakistan has continued its fight against militant factions, with the government saying it has lost over 80,000 civilians and security personnel in the post-9/11 militant wave.
The GTI also noted that Daesh’s Khorasan chapter was evolving into one of the most active militant groups globally, expanding its operations beyond Afghanistan into Pakistan, Iran, Russia and Central Asia.
“It carries out more deadly attacks outside of Afghanistan than within, highlighting its growing transnational threat,” it said.
Global index ranks Pakistan as world’s second-most affected country by ‘terrorism’
https://arab.news/j6aqe
Global index ranks Pakistan as world’s second-most affected country by ‘terrorism’
- Prepared by an international think tank, the index reports a 45 percent rise in militancy-related deaths in Pakistan in 2024
- Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan conducted 482 attacks, while Balochistan Liberation Army was behind 504 attacks last year
PCB sets Feb. 11 as date for player auction for Pakistan Super League 11th edition
- The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 20
- The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that the player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on Feb. 11, setting the stage for franchises to begin assembling squads for the country’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
The development came after a workshop regarding PSL player auction at the Qaddafi Stadium, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The workshop was attended by PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players.
“The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and the auction process and consulted with all the participants,” the PCB said.
“It was agreed that the HBL PSL player auction will take place on Wednesday, 11 February.”
The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and maximum of 20 players per franchise. The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size, according to the PCB.
It would be mandatory for the franchises to play minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players in the playing XI. The teams are also required to have minimum of two uncapped Under 23 players in the squad and one in the playing XI.
Players either retained or picked in the auction will be engaged for two-year contracts with their respective franchise teams, the board said, adding that franchise teams will be able to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.”
PSL CEO Naseer said the player auction system modernizes player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the PSL’s appeal for both players and franchises.
“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month,” he said.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team. The 11th edition of the league is set to begin from Mar. 26 while the final is expected to be played on May 3, as per the PCB’s schedule.
