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    • Pakistan’s Great Firewall and the Use of Religion as a Tool for Digital Authoritarianism · Global Voices
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    Pakistan’s Great Firewall and the Use of Religion as a Tool for Digital Authoritarianism · Global Voices

    Online Niel Posted on

    Pakistan once again demonstrated authoritarian tendencies by announcing lock of “illegal Virtual private networks (VPNs),” citing their alleged use in facilitating terrorist activities and accessing blasphemous or pornographic content. According to the reinforced ones VPN regulatory strategyusers must submit an application detailing the legal purpose of their VPN use to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and wait for approval. PTA set a deadline from November 30 to register VPNs, warning of a nationwide crackdown from December 1. To facilitate this process, PTA a launch a online portal to whitelist IP addresses and register VPNs, aimed at supporting software houses, call centers, banks, embassies and freelancers. PTA introduced for the first time VPN registration in July 2020.

    As citizens were already grappling with the news of the impending VPN ban, reports began to emerge of blocking Blueskyan open source social media platform gaining popularity in Pakistan after ban X (formerly Twitter) at the beginning of this year.

    Digital rights activist Usama Khilji posted on X:

    As of February 2024, the use of VPNs has become a common practice BAN on X after general elections. Ironically, government officials continued to use the platform despite the restriction being imposed. Internet users have constantly complained about deteriorating internet quality since this government came to power. On November 10, users across multiple platforms, including X, expressed concern about the VPN throttling and slow internet accessamplifying frustrations about limited digital freedoms.

    Blogger Hina Safdar posted on X:

    PTA justifying the ban

    Originally, PTA denied the allegations of VPN acceleration, dismissing slow speeds as a technical error. However, on November 13, he organized a consultation session to discuss its VPN registration framework. The session was attended by representatives of Ministry of IT and Telecommunications (MoIT&T), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and Pakistan IT Association (P@SHA).

    Following the PTA’s announcement to ban illegal VPNs, the regulator alleged that nearly 20 million attempts were made daily from Pakistan to access pornographic websites. In addition, it reported blocking more than 100,000 URLs that contained blasphemous content, as well as 844,000 pornographic websites.

    In August this year, Pakistan implemented a national firewall able to track, block or significantly limit access to its content considered to be propaganda. Since then, the authority has been stepping up its efforts to register VPNs. On November 16, the Ministry of Interior and the Federal Bureau of Investigation instructed the PTA to block illegal or unregistered VPNs in Pakistan to prevent terrorists and individuals from accessing pornographic and blasphemous content.

    Before the VPN ban was announced, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump on his victory in the last election. In response, a community note appearedstating, “Use a VPN to access X, which is illegal under Pakistani law.”

    The Great Firewall of Pakistan

    As of July 2024, Pakistanis have reported slow internet services and interruptions. Bytes for all of Pakistana research think tank, debunked the government’s clarification on slow internet in his report“Pakistan’s Slow Internet and the Smokescreen of VPNs.” The report links slow internet speeds to tests of an updated web management system or a Chinese-style firewallrather than using VPN. The report claims that these measures are part of a wider strategy aimed at monitoring and controlling online spaces.

    Amid reports of digital platform outages and slow internet speeds, the govt completed the second trial its much-debated firewall designed to block unwanted content in August. While Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja initially blamed VPNs for interruptions, PTA later PASSED that the firewall has been installed to manage social networks.

    Ali Ehsan, Senior Vice President of P@SHA, told Global Voices via WhatsApp that the “digital siege” is seriously threatening Pakistan’s IT industry, pushing it to a tipping point with unprecedented operational disruptions. He called on the government to adopt a collaborative cyber security framework that protects national interests without stifling innovation and growth. Emphasizing that both the economy and a reliable internet are national priorities, he added: “Those who act against them must reconsider their decisions.”

    Weaponizing religion and morality to legitimize banning VPNs

    Meanwhile, on November 15, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), a constitutional advisory body, issue a fatwa (non-binding religious opinion) that declares the use of VPNs to access objectionable or anti-state content as un-Islamic. This decision drew criticism from the public and digital rights activists. Even Rana Sanaullahmember of the National Assembly from the ruling party — Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) — stated that CII he had no authority to comment on the issue.

    In response to the backlash, the CII held a press conference and conveniently clarified that “Only registered VPNs are allowed under Sharia.” The president emphasized that “social media should promote Islamic values ​​and national security” and stressed the importance of ethical and legal use of social platforms.

    Global Voices contacted lawyer Ali Tahir via WhatsApp about the role of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). He said:

    The CII has often been exploited politically, including its recent involvement in justifying VPN restrictions. The Pakistan Telecom Authority’s move to register VPNs appears to be aimed at controlling access, but efforts have largely faltered.

    Civil society and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) have a lot of time plead for ABOLITION of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), accusing him of holding regressive views that allow the state to manipulate religion to suppress dissent and justify violence against women. Critics argue that CII works as a tool to legitimize government actions under the guise of morality, often reinforcing conservative and discriminatory policies.

    The military’s role in digital surveillance

    On November 15, the country’s most powerful figure, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, appointed for the control of “unrestricted” freedom of expression, linking it to the erosion of moral values. The military, which has faced increasing scrutiny on social media, labeled criticism and fake news as “digital terrorism.” Recently, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, stressed the need for stricter measures to reduce online propaganda.

    Tahir criticized the government’s use of morality and religion as justifications for digital restrictions, citing the Twitter ban as a prime example. While officials say the measures are aimed at combating terrorism and immoral content, Tahir claims they are primarily aimed at suppressing criticism on social media and labeling dissidents as “digital terrorists”.

    VPNs and Pakistan’s IT Sector: A Growing Crisis

    The use of VPNs has become increasingly widespread globallywith over 30% of internet users using VPNs to ensure online security and anonymity. On the other hand, some countries have implemented or considered VPN bans, citing concerns about national security, cybercrime, and intellectual property infringement. Pakistan proposed VPN regulations have raised concerns among IT professionals and businesses.

    The impact of banning VPNs can be far-reaching, with significant economic and social consequences. In Pakistan, the proposed ban will cost the economy around
    300 million USD per year. Internationally, VPN bans have resulted in it has reduced foreign investment, decreased online commerce and compromised cyber security.

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