THIS is with reference to the report “IT minister draws MNA’s ire with ‘all OK’ mantra” (Jan 3), which covered the procee-dings of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication during which the government faced harsh criticism from parliamentarians over its handling of affairs related to internet connectivity and social media accessibility. It is clear that the government is out to restrict all sources of knowledge and information.

First, social media platform X, formerly Twitter, was banned in the country, which is widely used to express opinions on social, political and current affairs. These opinions offer diverse perspectives to the users and enrich their understanding. However, the government disregarded the internationally accepted norms of right to expression and free speech, and banned the platform.

Then, it placed a firewall which drast-ically affected internet speed. Frequent internet interruptions forced IT experts and companies to shift their businesses to other countries, forcing the country to suffer losses in an economy that is already facing foreign exchange scarcity.

The latest adventure of limiting the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) is bound to be the last nail in the coffin. After the ban on X, people have been using VPNs to access it. Even government functionaries and dignitaries continue to express their views on X using VPNs.

It is unfortunate that many people respond to scientific developments and education in a negative manner. When printing press was invented by German scientist Johannes Gutenberg in the mid-1400s, the Ottoman empire, one of the mightiest at the time, banned it, calling it an invention that was not in line with the religion. In the subcontinent, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, the reformer and educatio-nist, was called an infidel and an agent of the British when he favoured acquisition of knowledge through English language.

The young generation in Pakistan is capable of doing wonders and excelling in all fields of life. The young can take Pakistan forward, particularly in IT and allied fields. They just need a little space for themselves. It is this space that is being denied to them.

The internet service providers (ISPs) and software houses have warned that restrictions on the internet and VPNs would become an existential threat for them. If the government keeps restricting the people from keeping pace with the latest global developments, Pakistan will soon move back into the dark ages. Do we really want that to happen?

Aamir Aqil
Lahore

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2025