Pakistan military to crack down against ‘digital terrorism’

Pakistan has serious terrorism issues, such as those coming from the Islamic State and the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It also faces attacks from the Baloch Liberation Army. Yet Pakistan’s military is now broadening its counterterrorism efforts under the rubric of “digital terrorism,” which provides it an opportunity to abuse and attempt to control anyone of whom it disapproves — a well known tactic of corrupt, fascist regimes.

Similar tactics are also being used in the West. Leftist governments, many of whom are becoming increasingly totalitarian, particularly in the absence of stiff opposition, are narrowing the scope of the freedom of speech. Such governments, unlike Pakistan, still claim to be free societies. Yet as in Pakistan, their justice systems are abused and “weaponised against individuals who are targets of or express criticism” of government. In the case of Pakistan, criticism of the military is also banned.

Pakistan has a much graver problem than “digital terrorism,” although terrorists do use the Internet to expanding their base. For years, Pakistan has been a safe haven for jihad terrorists, as the Pakistani government seemingly lacks the will to tackle the issue. Observing this suspicious phenomenon was Donald Trump, who cut $800 million in aid to Pakistan in 2018.

The United States has foolishly given Pakistan more than 33 billion dollars in aid over the last 15 years, and they have given us nothing but lies & deceit, thinking of our leaders as fools. They give safe haven to the terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan, with little help. No more!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 1, 2018

Pakistan continues to be a comprehensive threat. It not only harbors terrorists, but it also has nuclear weapons. The latest effort to expand a crackdown against “digital terrorism” will likely be used by the government and military against Christians and other minorities, by means of fake “blasphemy” charges, as well as against dissidents.

“Anti-Terror Op Turns Sinister: Pakistani Netizens Being ‘Walled Off’ As Army Raises Spectre Of ‘Digital Terrorism,’” Times of India, August 2, 2024:

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s “whole-of-system approach” to countering militancy is evolving and may be taking a turn to the sinister as its army’s new anti-terror operation ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (Resolve for Stability) is increasingly focusing on what it calls “digital terrorism”.

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has over the past few months repeatedly warned that digital platforms are being exploited to disseminate misinformation and incite unrest against state institutions. He described the activities of “inimical” forces as a form of “digital terrorism” aimed at creating discord between the military and the public by spreading “lies and fake news”.

Launched in June, Azm-e-Istehkam is tackling not only traditional militancy, particularly in light of increasing attacks attributed to groups like the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), but the evolving nature of threats in the digital landscape.….