Pakistan has recorded a 31% drop in terror-related fatalities, claimed the independent Centre for Research and Security Studies.
The think-tank produced a report based on news and independent monitors. The report of think-tank asserted that while Balochistan recorded the highest number of the terror-related incidents last year, there has been a significant drop in terror-related fatalities in all of the provinces.
It marked that terror-related fatalities in Balochistan dropped 44.2%- going from 405 in 2018 to 226 in 2019. In KPK, the rate dropped by 39%- the terror-related death count dropped from 156 in 2018 to 148 in 2019. In Punjab, the rate dropped by 11% with a drop from 93 in 2018 to 82 in 2019.
#Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies finds 31% drop in terror- and counter-terror-related fatalities across #Pakistan in 2019, with #Balochistan seeing largest decline of 44.2%https://t.co/Y93TJjRrvH
— Pakistan Standard (@PakStandard) December 31, 2019
Terror-related fatalities dropped from 7 to 0 in Gilgit-Baltistan. FATA recorded a drop by 39% where the death count dropped from 192 to 117. However, the federal capital recorded a rise of 16%, the terror-related fatalities jumped from 6 to 7 in 2019.
The report has attributed the downfall in terror-related fatalities to the declining terror attack. In 2019, 370 terror incidents were reported as compared to 400 in 2018. The suicide attacks have declined substantially; 26 suicide assaults resulted in 295 deaths in 2018 as compared to 56 deaths from 9 suicide assaults in 2019.
Read more: After all the progress, How is Pakistan still the ‘least reputable country’?
The decline in terror attacks resulted due to increased crackdown and arrests of militants from various terrorist organizations. Pakistan law enforcement agencies caught 141 militants of whom 32 belonged to TTP; 24 to Jaish e Mohammad; 2 to Jammat ud Dawa, 11 to Lashkar-e-Jhangvi; 3 to Al-Qaeda; 4 to IS; 2 to the BLA; and 5 to Balochistan Republican Army. 2018 also marked the first year since 2014 with no drone strikes.
Pakistan’s progress
The improved security situation is a prerequisite for a stable economy and sustainable development of Pakistan. Pakistan has started reaping benefits of its long-fought arduous and deadly ‘war on terror’ after the Sri Lankan cricket team visited Pakistan in December and Britain’s royal couple visit in October.
Moreover, even the growth and expansion of the tourism sector is inter-dependent on the security situation in the country.
Pakistan has significantly progressed in two years, particularly in the expansion of tourism. The influx of foreigners has ramped up in Pakistan in the past few months.
Pakistan needs to sustain its triumph against the evil of terrorism if it hopes to steer towards progress and development
The visit of the Sri Lankan cricket team for a formal cricket series marked the return of international cricket after more than a decade. The international cricket suspended in Pakistan following the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2007.
The incident dipped Pakistan’s image globally. Pakistan continued to be branded as an unsafe and terrorist country for many years to come. However, Sri Lanka deserves credit for trusting and accepting PCB’s request to send the team for a home series in Pakistan.
Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton has described the royal tour to Pakistan, ‘really special’ in a rare interview with CNN in Lahore. The five-day tour has enabled the royal to see a lot of the country.
The Princess in her interview, cherished visiting the country’s unique landscape in Chitral and engaging in community activities during her visit. “It was amazing seeing some of the geographies yesterday, but then to see some of the community activities today has been special,” the duchess said.
With the royal tour came the heavy international media coverage that partially absolved Pakistan from negative perception.
Read more: Are military operations the only way to counter terrorism in Pakistan?
A lot is happening at the tourism front in Pakistan; several international travel bloggers toured Pakistan, disseminating the positive ‘word of mouth’ for Pakistan through their social media profiles. Pakistan has been classed as the top traveling destination for 2020 by Travel Company Wild Frontiers.
For the past couple of months, the international media is raving for the country’s potential for tourism. A couple of international media reports had declared Pakistan the best tourist destination for 2019. The recent reports hint that Pakistan will continue to be branded as the top tourist destination for 2020 as well.
Pakistan needs to sustain its triumph against the evil of terrorism if it hopes to steer towards progress and development.