As the world is stepping into the age of digital competition, Pakistan seems to have taken a counterproductive approach to global connectivity through its government’s restrictive policies toward social media and internet providers. Many spend their days and nights wondering why the internet is down in Pakistan.
In just the first few months of this year, there have been around three different instances where internet users have found social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook out of reach. Furthermore, during the elections in February 2024, Pakistan indefinitely blocked X (formerly Twitter) on the basis of security concerns. There have also been around 128 million civilian complaints about repeated disturbances in their internet connections and social media platforms.
Pakistan is anything but new to such digital blackouts, for example, last year the country had to face a four-day-long digital darkness after the former prime minister, Imran Khan, got arrested. Moreover, there have been more than six times over the past year that the country faced such blackouts of wireless and internet service providers. These restrictions have earned Pakistan third rank in imposing nationwide internet restrictions around the world, raising questions about the country’s political and economic aspirations.
Reasons Behind the Disruption
The response from the Pakistani Government regarding the accusation of growing censorship and slow internet speed has been less than satisfactory at best. They usually rationalize their restrictive policies based on security concerns, such as terrorism, separatist movements, cybersecurity, and international intervention, but now they have also started to claim that such social media platforms are violating Pakistani laws to justify their ban.
Internet Firewall
Responding to the latest acquisition regarding the government building a firewall to restrain freedom online, the Minister for Information and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja claims that it is a regulatory tool to defend against cyberattacks rather than a physical wall that would restrain internet use. Furthermore, she highlighted the 70 million dollars assigned by the Pakistani Government for digital infrastructure development. Many critics find this activity suspicious and worry that it will be a strain on digital rights used to silence any opposition.
New PTA Framework
Simultaneously in July, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) introduced a new regulatory framework that would require all the over-the-top services such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Netflix, and YouTube to get registered locally with a 15-year license or they would be considered illegal. Additionally, this framework will provide the government with full access to content monitoring and evaluation of personal data.
Excessive Use of VPNs in Pakistan
Pakistani citizens have been continuously complaining about the slow internet for a few months now, while addressing these complaints Fatima Khawaja blamed the widespread use of VPNs (virtual private networks) throughout the country, which she claims strains the network causing the internet to slowdown denying any meddling from the authorities.
Pakistani policymakers claim that these digital restrictions are a security tool to prevent and restrain violent resurgence in the country. Nonetheless, this security tool has proved itself to be ineffective in countering terrorism, growing separatist movements, or political unrest. If we look at the stats despite the regulations on X or other social media platforms, the violence has not been constrained much as compared to the last year. Despite four months still left of this year, 500 incidents of killing have almost reached last year’s record of 527 incidents.
The slump in services has fostered mistrust between the civilians and the government as political tensions are at an all-time high. Many young people view these restrictive policies as a strain on their freedom and a warning against the country moving toward oppressive rule. Over the last five years, authoritarian governments have turned to restraining the internet with disruption and blockades to suppress the opposition. It has been recorded that around 46 governments have imposed social media and messaging app restrictions. As it became clear in the latest case of Bangladesh, internet shutdowns proved to be not as effective as the authoritarian government of Prime Minister Hasina wanted; rather than discouraging the youth it further enraged them. We can see a similar case in Palestinian resilience and social media restrictions making it clear that successfully restricting the internet is next to impossible.
The counterproductive nature of censorship becomes obvious when it fails to achieve its intended goals, simultaneously damaging the well-being and development of a country in various ways. In the 21st century global connectivity is considered much more of a right rather than a privilege. Any state that can not provide its citizens the right to freedom of speech and access to information is classified as oppressive in nature leading to international scrutiny that tarnishes its global image in the long run. The consequences caused by censorship go beyond the violation of human rights to negatively impact economic activity and growth.
Pakistan is the third-largest provider of freelance services therefore, frequent disruptions in connectivity can bring years of progress to an abrupt halt and create doubt for international partners. The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) claims that a 24-hour suspension of internet services can cause around 1.3 million rupees worth of financial setbacks. Which is about 0.57% of the nation’s average daily gross domestic product. These restrictions further lead to disruption in countries’ development especially in the digital and technological landscape. While the world is investing in new technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum technology, Pakistan is still dealing with internet blackouts and restrictions on social media platforms, making it clearer than ever that while the world is moving forward, we are going backward.
The rise of censorship policies in Pakistan is becoming more prominent than ever, leading to many questions that are yet to be answered. The political inspirations behind these restrictions are not a very well-hidden secret but the success of these goals remains a question mark, especially considering the latest example of an attempted internet blackout in Bangladesh. Another aspect that cannot be overlooked is the negative impact this censorship has on the perception and economic activity of the country. These restrictions restrain business activity and discourage international investments due to the negative perception and poor service caused by internet blockades. This might lead to temporary suppression of public rage but in the long run, as people get tired of the lack of freedom of speech, increase in economic struggles, and lack of technological development, they tend to find a way to make their voices heard. And if something history has taught us the suppression of people fighting for their rights does not last long.
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Ahwar Azhar is a student of Social Sciences majoring in International Relations, currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Bahria University, Islamabad. She is an aspiring IR scholar aiming to work in the areas of international stability, humanitarian relief, and international law. Her research interests include emerging technologies and national security.