Pakistan’s human rights situation deteriorated significantly in 2011 as the military, which operates with impunity, seized near-total control of foreign and security policy as the civilian government looked on helplessly. Religious minorities faced unprecedented insecurity and persecution. Freedom of belief and expression came under severe threat as the government failed to provide protection to those threatened by extremists or hold them accountable. Security deteriorated as militant and sectarian groups carried out suicide bombings and targeted killings across the country. A dramatic increase in killings across the southwestern province of Balochistan was recorded as were at least 800 politically motivated killings in the southern city of Karachi.