PAKISTAN’S track record of internet governance this year has been a combination of bad decisions and questionable motives thus far. We have seen bloggers go missing, with no answers as to who abducted them and why. Online activists have been detained for allegedly criticising the security establishment on social media. The interior minister has expressed his hope to end online privacy, saying that proposals have been submitted to have each person’s social media accounts connected to their mobile phone numbers by law. And once more, voices have been raised for the banning of Facebook.

In this mess, the very real issue of the spread of terrorism online has been largely ignored. It is then somewhat encouraging to learn that last week the Counter-Terrorism Department, Sindh, provided the PTA, FIA and other authorities a list of websites and social media accounts linked to the spread of extremism and terrorism. The CTD wants these websites closed or banned as they have been used to glorify outfits such as Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, or provide updates of activities carried out by the likes of the banned TTP. Data analysis identified the potential emergence of new sectarian militant groups and separatist movements. It was also shared that “Pakhtun ethnic extremism” was active on social media, though this was not probed further. The CTD’s effort is a small step in the right direction, indicating that at least one agency is prioritising what was termed a vital component of NAP against terror. However, this has been a provincial effort to win a fight in a space that has no physical boundaries. Without similar coordinated efforts by multiple law-enforcement agencies in all provinces and at the federal level, the growing menace of militancy and extremism online cannot be tackled in a meaningful manner. A recent investigation by Dawn uncovered the presence of over 700 Facebook pages and groups operating publicly using the names of 41 banned outfits, indicating that the problem is widespread and ever growing. Beyond the sharing of intelligence, the state apparatus needs to be on one page when it comes to technology, human resources, workflows and best practices in global counterterrorism. Most importantly, there must be political will on the part of all stakeholders to prioritise the issue and pursue it relentlessly. Far more needs to be done, even if this means putting the detainment of online activists and banning of social media on the back-burner.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2017