EASO COI Report. Security situation

Englisch

This report is an update of the EASO COI report on Pakistan, Security Situation, October 2019. The reference period for the events described in this report is from 1 August 2019 until 31 July 2020.

The drafting of this report was finalised on 14 August 2020. Some additional information was added during the finalisation of this report in response to feedback received during the quality control process, until 18 September 2020.

The security situation in Pakistan has been influenced by both internal and external security issues. The main internal security challenges consist of political and economic instability, ethnic and sectarian conflicts, religious extremism and militancy; while external security challenges are linked to the relationship of Pakistan with neighbouring countries such as Afghanistan and India. Militant violence in the country is mainly caused by the separatist insurgency in Balochistan and the instability in the north-west of the country resulting from the 2001 toppling of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

This report is divided in two parts: the first part provides a general description on the security situation in Pakistan; the second part explains the security situation per province in more detail, including information on population, background of the conflict, actors active; as well as quantitative and qualitative information on recent security trends and impact of violence on the civilian population.

EASO acknowledges as the drafter of this report:

Belgium, Centre for Documentation and Research (Cedoca) in the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Person.

The following departments and organisations have reviewed the report:

- Austria, Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum, Country of Origin Information Department

- Poland, Country of Origin Information Unit, Department for Refugee Procedures, Office for Foreigners

- ACCORD – Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation.

This report was written according to the EASO COI Report Methodology (June 2019).

Policy

The security and human rights situation in Pakistan is problematic. Many citizens of Pakistan are being exposed to ethno-political or sectarian violence and the Pakistani authorities are often unable or unwilling to offer protection. The violence in Pakistan can be mainly attributed to terrorist organisations that are active in the country. These organisations primarily target members of the security services and the army, members of religious minorities and the police. In addition, Pakistan sometimes sees large-scale attacks aiming to cause a maximum number of casualties within a specific community. Religious minorities, primarily Shi’a Muslims, are generally targeted. However, such attacks are rather the exception than the rule. The security situation in the country is further influenced by flares of violence between extremist elements and government troops in the north-west of the country as well as by the nationalist uprising in Baluchistan.

Land: 
Pakistan