BOTH the government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have once again attributed the day-long internet shutdown during the recent elections to security reasons. However, independent observers in Pakistan have argued that these disruptions were politically motivated. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has also slammed the day-long suspension of internet services and has described it as a breach of international law and fundamental rights. It is beyond doubt that the shutdown profoundly affected the perception of the final outcome.

The elections have drawn widespread criticism for allegedly compromising the integrity of the voting process. Given such a significant impact, all political parties and civil society activists now need to push for the appointment of an independent panel. Such a thorough and transparent investigation is essential for restoring public confidence in the country’s electoral infrastructure, and for ensuring the robustness of its digital communications in future elections.

For all political parties and the civil society activists, the path forward involves leveraging legal avenues as well as constitutional mechanisms, informed by a comprehensive technical audit of the telecommunications infrastructure.

A proactive approach that is grounded in the findings of the proposed inquiry is essential not only for redressing the immediate grievances, but also for fortifying Pakistan’s democratic framework against future vulnerabilities.

Qamar Bashir
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2024