IT has now become a regular feature to cite one reason or the other to frequently ban TikTok, an application widely used by middle class Pakistanis. Is it a mere coincidence that this process of banning this Chinese Application, owned by a Chinese company Byte Dance, has started ever since it was banned by the US administration?

As far as the contents of most American and European internet-based video applications are concerned, they are more lethal, immoral and hate-based, even Islamophobic, than TikTok, but rarely have they been banned so frequently. Questions arise as to why TikTok is being banned so frequently in Pakistan? All these computer-based applications can be used for the benefit of society.

It is a stated American policy that they are against all Chinese investments in Pakistan, especially the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). There should be no doubt in our mind that the relationship between China and Pakistan is broad-based, and we share common strategic interests unlike the transactional engagement we used to have with the US.

The government must look into the matter carefully as many in the official machinery at various levels have been beneficiaries of American largesse and their children are settled there. Many of them have shifted their assets and are seeking citizenship for self or family. The oath of citizenship binds them to obey whatever is required to serve the national interests of those countries.

In contrast, it is in our national interest to strengthen our friendship with China, and we must focus on that aspect of our existence. Banning TikTok so frequently has the potential to rub our Chinese friends the wrong way. We better watch out.

Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2021