THOUGH many amongst Pakistan’s religious right prefer interpretations of faith anchored firmly in the past and shun most aspects of modernity as ‘innovations’, they have few qualms about using technology to their advantage.

For example, as noted in a recent report in this paper, the ‘cyber team’ of Jamaatud Dawa seems to be quite an active concern. Young, tech-savvy men are at the forefront of an operation designed to transmit the message of a group with barely disguised links to religious militancy.

Volunteers stream footage from rallies, send out live tweets and update websites.

In fact, the team claims to be active in 45 cities and towns in Pakistan. Its members say they are countering hostile propaganda from “anti-Pakistan” elements, which, surprisingly, include the TTP as well as the militant Islamic State group, along with ‘secularists’.

Of course, this is a far cry from the ideology of old, according to which photography and film-making were both deemed unacceptable. But perhaps it is the ubiquitousness of technology, as well as the challenge posed by even more ferocious militant groups, that has caused JuD to change tack.

JuD is not the only militant group to embrace technology. A plethora of jihadi and sectarian outfits in Pakistan as well as internationally have used cyberspace as a recruiting ground and a propaganda outlet.

Also read: JuD’s new ‘Cyber Team’ a far cry from conservatism of old

Al Qaeda and IS have both used technology to their advantage to communicate their message and boast of their gruesome ‘exploits’.

In fact, as many experts have noted, cyberspace is a key battlefield for counterterrorism agencies the world over. Some may term this acceptance of technology by the hard right and militant outfits as hypocrisy, for they are using the same fruits of modernity that they have long railed against.

However, this also reflects a sense of pragmatism — in a world of smartphones, laptops and instant messaging, the extremists know they won’t get too far by sticking to antiquated methods. Hence the ‘battle for hearts and minds’ is being waged in cyberspace.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2016