'Un-Islamic VPNs': How Pakistan is turning into 'Bannistan'

TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Dec 2, 2024, 14:23 IST

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Pakistan is rolling out a China-style internet firewall, enabling extensive government surveillance and control over online content. Claimed as a cybersecurity measure, it has caused internet disruptions and restrictions on VPNs, vital for businesses and freelancers. Critics argue it threatens online freedom, economic growth, and political expression, amidst already charged political tensions.

'Un-Islamic VPNs': How Pakistan is turning into 'Bannistan'

Since mid-July, internet users in Pakistan have reported frequent slowdowns and disruptions.

In a move that echoes the stringent internet controls of its neighbor China, Pakistan has embarked on a path to transform its digital landscape into what some are calling 'Banninstan'.
Driving the news

Pakistan is testing a China-style internet “firewall” that could grant the government sweeping powers to monitor, throttle, and block online content, sparking concerns over surveillance, censorship, and economic fallout, a report in Aljazeera said.
Official sources claim this $72–$107 million project is part of broader cybersecurity enhancements, but it has already caused disruptions, with citizens reporting degraded internet speeds and throttled services on popular apps like WhatsApp.
The firewall’s debut coincided with political turmoil. Authorities restricted VPNs—essential for freelancers and businesses—and suspended mobile internet during protests supporting jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan. Social media app X (formerly Twitter) was blocked entirely, though government officials continued using it to post updates.
Protesters claim that the government is using internet controls to suppress dissent and stifle communication.

Why it matters

Pakistan’s digital transformation is at a crossroads. While the government touts the firewall as a tool to combat “digital terrorism” and enhance cybersecurity, critics argue it could undermine online freedoms, throttle economic growth, and deepen political repression.
The establishment, an euphemism for Pakistan's military, has been regularly blaming "digital terrorism" for spreading misinformation, inciting unrest, and criticizing state institutions.
The system’s ability to monitor internet activity at granular levels and selectively block features on apps signals a shift toward an increasingly controlled digital ecosystem.
The narrative of combating digital terrorism has led to a significant increase in internet surveillance and control, with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA)'s powers being expanded to include the ability to demand user data without judicial oversight, monitor live streams, and fine platforms for non-compliance. This has turned internet censorship into a tool not just for counter-terrorism but also for controlling political discourse.
The timing of these new firewall tests couldn't be more politically charged. With the arrest and subsequent protests by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, the government's decision to test such an invasive surveillance system has stirred public anger and raised questions about freedom of expression and privacy. The crackdown on VPNs, crucial tools for bypassing internet censorship, especially during these protests, has only amplified the dissent.
Interestingly, the Council of Islamic Ideology controversially deemed VPNs "un-Islamic," exacerbating concerns about government overreach. However, "before the ink had dried on public reaction, the council’s chairman, Allama Raghib Naeemi, was quick to retract his statement, citing a clerical error. Well, to look at it from a purely syntactic standpoint, unless the error lay in the prefix “un” and they intended to hail VPNs as virtuous, the retraction serves no purpose other than bewilderment," said a report in Dawn.

The big picture
Censorship under the guise of security
The new firewall reportedly allows the government to block specific app features, such as WhatsApp voice and video calls, rather than entire platforms. It mirrors capabilities seen in authoritarian regimes like China and Middle Eastern countries, where such granular controls have long been used to curtail free expression, the Aljazeera report said.
This marks a significant escalation from Pakistan’s existing Web Management System (WMS), acquired in 2018 from Canadian firm Sandvine. While the WMS enabled URL filtering and deep packet inspection (DPI), it struggled to cope with Pakistan’s growing internet traffic. The new Chinese-built system reportedly addresses those limitations, offering more robust surveillance and censorship capabilities.

A key feature of the new system, allows authorities to scrutinize metadata—information about who communicates, when, and where—without decrypting the actual content. While metadata lacks the substance of private messages, experts warn that it can still compromise user privacy and enable profiling.
Internet disruptions and public backlash
Since mid-2024, internet users have reported frequent slowdowns, disrupted multimedia services on apps, and blocked VPNs. During recent protests, authorities entirely cut mobile internet in parts of Islamabad, crippling communication for residents and demonstrators alike.
Digital rights activists, like Farieha Aziz, have tied the firewall’s rollout to the government’s attempts to control political narratives. “This rush seems tied to the current political environment, aimed at controlling the flow of information and narrative building,” Aziz said.
Economic risks
Pakistan’s growing IT sector, including freelancers who depend on VPNs for international clients, faces significant challenges under these controls. Restricting VPN access increases costs, disrupts operations, and undermines the confidence of global partners in Pakistan’s digital reliability.
Freelancers, who contributed $2.3 billion to Pakistan’s economy last year, have raised alarms over potential job losses and missed opportunities. “The system risks stifling innovation and productivity, especially for small IT firms that cannot afford additional costs,” said a spokesperson for the Pakistan Freelancers Association.
Lack of transparency
Officials have offered shifting explanations for internet slowdowns, blaming excessive VPN usage or submarine cable faults. However, digital watchdogs like NetBlocks and the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) have identified patterns consistent with intentional throttling.
The ambiguity has fueled mistrust. State Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja denied any knowledge of a “firewall,” calling it an upgrade to the existing WMS. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has suggested that the new system would streamline content regulation.

What they’re saying

Digital rights advocates: “Censorship and surveillance we are seeing right now in Pakistan is unprecedented and very sophisticated,” said Usama Khilji, a digital rights activist. “It’s creating frustration in society.”
Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center described the firewall as “a textbook case of shooting yourself in the foot… Both feet in fact.”
“For students and freelancers, VPNs aren’t a luxury—they’re a necessity,” said Ahmed Raza, a freelance software developer. “Blocking them would cripple our ability to work and compete globally.”
“This level of monitoring is invasive and sets a dangerous precedent,” said Haroon Ali, a cybersecurity expert. “Once such a system is in place, it’s almost impossible to roll back.”
Pakistan risks alienating international investors and tech companies wary of privacy violations. “Inconsistent connectivity, censorship, and invasive monitoring paint a picture of an unstable digital landscape,” warned Aftab Siddiqui of the Internet Society.

Political ramifications
The firewall coincides with crackdowns on dissent. Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party alleges that the government uses internet restrictions to silence opposition voices. Protesters have faced not only physical repression but also online blackouts that impede coordination and amplify frustration.
While the government claims these measures are necessary for “national security,” critics argue they merely serve to consolidate power. “Repressive policies like this won’t just stifle dissent—they’ll deepen the divide between the state and the people,” observed Benazir Shah, a political analyst.
What’s next

Increased surveillance: Analysts predict that the firewall will become fully operational by early 2025, allowing the government to implement more targeted censorship.
Economic implications: IT associations have urged policymakers to reconsider, warning that these policies will jeopardize Pakistan’s digital economy.
Civil liberties: The lack of legal safeguards around the firewall’s deployment raises concerns about unchecked state power. Rights groups have called for judicial oversight and legislative transparency to ensure accountability.

The bottom line
Pakistan’s shift toward greater internet control mirrors global trends of declining digital freedoms but risks significant economic, political, and social consequences. Without transparency, safeguards, and stakeholder engagement, this experiment with a China-like firewall could leave Pakistan isolated, repressive, and economically stagnant. This is why a report in Dawn aptly termed the frequent and much-abuded internet censorship in Pakistan as "the chronicles of Bannistan".
The term 'Banninstan' may soon be more than just a metaphor, encapsulating a reality where digital rights are curtailed under the guise of national security and order.
In the end, the real question is: Will turning Pakistan into a "Bannistan" help establishment tame mercurial Imran Khan and force him to reach some kind of political settlement?
(With inputs from agencies)

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