CIVIC: Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict

Latest news: Pakistan 

Field Blog: CIVIC from the Field: Pakistan

The Conflict

Following the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, many Taliban and al-Qaeda militants fled across the border into Pakistan. Fighting between Pakistani government forces and militants has resulted in widespread violence in the regions of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP)—officially renamed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa—and Balochistan. There are no official numbers and no precise figures on civilian casualties due to limited access to conflict-affected areas, yet all indications show that a significant number of civilians have been killed or injured during the fighting.

When the Taliban in NWFP violated a February 2009 ceasefire agreement with the government, the Pakistani military launched an offensive to regain control of the region. Military operations in April and May of 2009 displaced more than 3 million people. Subsequent offenses have been launched against Taliban-aligned militants in FATA, including the agencies of South Waziristan, Bajaur, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Orakzai, displacing hundreds of thousands.  Ongoing violence in FATA and NWFP continues to cause new displacements and civilian harm.

The United States has targeted militants within Pakistan's borders using unmanned aerial drones. Reports on the number of civilians and militants killed by drones vary substantially. Since 2004, the total number of deaths in Pakistan from U.S. drone strikes is estimated between 885 and 1,314. Of these, about two thirds are believed to be militants. Serious concerns have been raised about the legality of drone strikes in Pakistan. The Obama Administration is defending their legality, stating that the U.S. is engaged in an armed conflict with Taliban and al Qaeda and is permitted under international law to target individual affiliated with these organizations. Civilians harmed in drone strikes do not receive any assistance or compensation from either the Pakistani or U.S. governments.

CIVIC's Work

In October 2009, CIVIC began research from Islamabad to document civilian harm and assistance for Pakistani civilian war victims. CIVIC is monitoring what type of help civilians want and need, what support currently exists, and what needs to be improved. Following the completion of this research in autumn 2010, CIVIC will publish a report on its findings with recommendations to the Pakistani Government, the U.S. Government, the UN, stakeholders, and donor nations.

CIVIC is advocating for direct assistance to war victims in Pakistan and calls on the U.S. and Pakistani governments to address civilian harm by recognizing losses and helping victims recover. CIVIC pressed the U.S. Congress to create a fund in Pakistan to aid war victims, which was allocated $10 million in FY11. CIVIC continues to monitor the situation, track compensation, and highlight the plight of civilians affected by the conflict. 

Civilian Casualties 
For 2009:
- 2,123 civilians killed in terrorist attacks  the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies
- Unknown number killed as a result military operations and fighting between Pakistani military and militants

Displacement