Pakistan saw an overall decline in the number of casualties from violence-related incidents in 2018, continuing a trend from 2015, according to a report of the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS).
Balochistan had the most number of fatalities at 407, followed by FATA (208) and Sindh (192). Of the 2,333 casualties in 2018, 1,131 were fatalities, down 45% from 2,047 the prior year. The biggest decline was observed in Punjab, where fatalities dropped by nearly 69% (469 to 146), followed by Sindh (57.8%), and FATA (52.3%).
During all months in 2018 (except July), the number of fatalities was significantly lower than the same month from the previous year. All forms of violence and counter-violence witnessed a significant decline in the number of fatalities this year.
The drop in fatalities from suicide attacks was marginal during this year and it remained the biggest source of casualties in the country. Civilians accounted for 53% of the total fatalities for this year compared to 47% last year.
The government and security officials saw a small decline, but an increase in the percentage of casualties. The largest drop in both numbers and percentage was for militants, criminals and insurgents.
Published in Daily Times, January 1st 2019