Internet in chains?

In recent years, Pakistan has promoted itself as a budding ‘tech destination’. Yet in a country where access to the internet is routinely restricted, such ambitions struggle to move beyond rhetoric. Pakistan has been ranked 27th out of 100 – classified as ‘Not Free’ – in the latest internet freedom index by the US-based Freedom House. The report notes that between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025, authorities threatened to block virtual private networks (VPNs) and pushed through amendments to the cybercrime law that rights groups warned could be abused. The government’s erratic approach began soon after the February 2024 elections, when a disgruntled official posted a video on his public account questioning the vote’s transparency. Rather than dealing with the individual case, the administration responded with sweeping bans – starting with the blocking of X (Twitter). Since then, Pakistan has endured recurring slowdowns and unexplained disruptions, with citizens and businesses left to navigate an increasingly unstable digital environment.

Pakistan’s internet landscape has long been murky. Social media platforms have been exploited by militant outfits, traffickers and criminal networks to lure vulnerable users. Political actors have also weaponised these spaces to spread disinformation and deepen instability. In that sense, the state’s desire for greater oversight is understandable. But complex threats require thoughtful, targeted responses – not abrupt shutdowns that punish millions. The internet today is not merely a socialising tool; it is the backbone of the modern economy. When connectivity drops, app-based ride services and food deliveries collapse, online payments fail mid-transaction and businesses suffer losses that ripple through the economy. If Pakistan is serious about building a digital economy, it must prioritise reliability and responsible regulation. A clear code of conduct for social media, enforced through transparent content-moderation teams within the country, would be far more effective than blanket blocks. Users need predictable rules, not arbitrary restrictions that breed mistrust in both technology and governance.

Unreliable internet services also undermine public confidence. When digital payments freeze or identity verification stalls, people become more wary of adopting technology. Meanwhile, government inaction against scammers and fraudsters erodes what little trust remains. This drift is dangerous not only for ordinary users but also for national security. A recent report by the global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky warned that seven advanced persistent threat (APT) groups are targeting Pakistan’s government agencies, energy sector and major corporations. Pakistan faces nearly one million cyberattacks each month; between January and September alone, over 5.3 million on-device attacks and 2.5 million web threats were detected, with stolen data frequently surfacing on the dark web. Authorities have, at times, attributed outages to a ‘web management system’ meant to curb cyberattacks. But given the scale and persistence of these threats, it is unclear whether such disruptions have offered any real protection. If the system has not made us safer, what exactly is happening behind the scenes? This year marks the 15th consecutive global decline in internet freedom. Around the world, ruling establishments appear increasingly fearful of the openness and accountability that free digital spaces enable. Pakistan’s aspirations for a digital future, from fintech growth to e-governance, cannot be achieved through censorship and unpredictability. They require stability, transparency and respect for fundamental freedoms.