The overnight consitution of the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) by the federal government in lieu of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing, has triggered range of concerns vis-à-vis the government’s underlying motives and the the lack of transparency surrounding the public interest decision-making processes and internet governance.
Previously, the government abused its powers through FIA’s cybercrime wing to stifle dissent and criminalising the right to freedom of expression by invoking problematic provisions of Preventionof Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), such as defamation, hate speech, cyber terrorism, and so called ‘blocking of unlawful content’. The pendency of more than 130,000 cybercrimes cases tells the story of the potency and success of FIA, whose unfortunate focus in the past eight years remained to target critical and dissenting voices.
Under the latest pretext, the government is pushing the narrative of fighting disinformation and fake news by enabling a new authority to investigate cybercrime through NCCIA. This has been a deliberate attempt to further confusing the investigative mandates of the institutions and at the same time an indication of tightening the noose around the fundamental socio-political rights.
All recent regulatory and arbitrary measures post-general elections 2024 related to internet governance in Pakistan including blocking of X (previously twitter), approving the establishing of E-Safety and Digital Rights Protection Authorities, notifying NCCIA under PECA rules, etc. in one or another way are non-transparent. As a multistakeholder subject, the internet governance in Pakistan has unfortunately been driven by the governance unilaterally. The absence of meaningful dialogue with digital rights groups, the IT sector, and the public reflects a shady approach by the authorities advancing distrust in the regulatory frameworks. This was rather a time where the government would appropriate the operations of FIA’s cybercrime wing and further strengthening its capacities, diverting resources to NCCIA without reason castes doubts on the necessity of such authority. The public is likely to suffer among all this chaos.
The government’s intention to exert greater control over social media, shutting down internet and crackdown on dissenting voices underpins the need for transparency and accountability. Rather an inclusive approach is essential to ensure that the agency’s activities are legitimate, transparent and democratic of the rights it aims to protect. Furthermore, the role of IT regulator, Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has been called into question. The PTA’s apparent alignment with executive in regulating internet access raises serious questions about its autonomy and impartiality in protecting citizens’ rights. Ultimately, the government’s urge to police social media must be alleviated, instead efforts must focus on safeguarding both cybersecurity and democratic freedoms and economic developmet of public.
Pakistan’s potential to benefit from the indeginous digital economy are way higher than where it is currently stuck. The government must make the right choice between disproportionate and unlawful internet shutdowns, and an open and enabling digital ecosystem in Pakistan. Civil society organisations, including Bytes for All, have vehemently opposed such repressive and arbitrary measures, urging for the restoration of online freedoms. The economic impact of internet outages extends across all sectors, worsening current issues and impeding growth potential. A recent study by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) shed light on the economic repercussions of such shutdowns, revealing the substantial financial setbacks they entail. According to the study, a 24-hour suspension of internet services results in a staggering loss of Rs1.3 billion, equivalent to 0.57 per cent of the nation’s daily GDP average.
The negative consequences for online cab services, food delivery platforms, freelancers, and telco sector are severe on a daily basis. During internet outages, online taxi services saw an astounding 97 per cent drop in ridership, resulting in considerable financial losses. Similarly, food delivery companies experienced a 75 per cent reduction in orders, resulting in significant daily income losses.
The freelance community, which contributes significantly to Pakistan’s economy, is also hit hard by internet interruptions. Orders to Pakistani freelancers dried up due to connectivity issues, resulting in a loss of approximately $3 million in revenue in a single day, affecting livelihoods and national economic progress. 3G/4G services’ suspension alone resulted in a loss of Rs. 450 million to telecos, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of internet shutdowns on businesses and consumers alike.
Internet shutdowns impede access to educational and professional opportunities, particularly for youth in rural areas. It is cripplig for the youth already struggling in the hands of higher poverty and unemployment indicators. Frequent shutdowns prevent them to access online tools enabling to compete nationally and internationally. Simultaneously, they jeopardise opportunities, exacerbating existing inequalities and digital divides, and stifling socio-economic progress.
The state of Pakistan has a set pattern of controlling the internet spaces by employing conventional regulatory mechanisms as well as arbitrary actions such as shutdowns, posing a dual threat to freedom of expression and economic rights. The nation strives for progress and development, which is impossible without open, safe, and uninterrupted internet access. To fully harness the current economic potentials in terms of tapping outsourcing IT businesses globally, it is essential for government to uphold citizens’ socio-political and economic rights, and promote an open and inclusive digital environment conducive to growth and innovation.
The writer is a digital rights activist and media academic.
An Open, Uninterrupted Internet Key for Socio-economic Justice
The overnight consitution of the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) by the federal government in lieu of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime wing, has triggered range of concerns vis-à-vis the government’s underlying motives and the the lack of transparency surrounding the public interest decision-making processes and internet governance.
Previously, the government abused its powers through FIA’s cybercrime wing to stifle dissent and criminalising the right to freedom of expression by invoking problematic provisions of Preventionof Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), such as defamation, hate speech, cyber terrorism, and so called ‘blocking of unlawful content’. The pendency of more than 130,000 cybercrimes cases tells the story of the potency and success of FIA, whose unfortunate focus in the past eight years remained to target critical and dissenting voices.
Under the latest pretext, the government is pushing the narrative of fighting disinformation and fake news by enabling a new authority to investigate cybercrime through NCCIA. This has been a deliberate attempt to further confusing the investigative mandates of the institutions and at the same time an indication of tightening the noose around the fundamental socio-political rights.
All recent regulatory and arbitrary measures post-general elections 2024 related to internet governance in Pakistan including blocking of X (previously twitter), approving the establishing of E-Safety and Digital Rights Protection Authorities, notifying NCCIA under PECA rules, etc. in one or another way are non-transparent. As a multistakeholder subject, the internet governance in Pakistan has unfortunately been driven by the governance unilaterally. The absence of meaningful dialogue with digital rights groups, the IT sector, and the public reflects a shady approach by the authorities advancing distrust in the regulatory frameworks. This was rather a time where the government would appropriate the operations of FIA’s cybercrime wing and further strengthening its capacities, diverting resources to NCCIA without reason castes doubts on the necessity of such authority. The public is likely to suffer among all this chaos.
The government’s intention to exert greater control over social media, shutting down internet and crackdown on dissenting voices underpins the need for transparency and accountability. Rather an inclusive approach is essential to ensure that the agency’s activities are legitimate, transparent and democratic of the rights it aims to protect. Furthermore, the role of IT regulator, Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has been called into question. The PTA’s apparent alignment with executive in regulating internet access raises serious questions about its autonomy and impartiality in protecting citizens’ rights. Ultimately, the government’s urge to police social media must be alleviated, instead efforts must focus on safeguarding both cybersecurity and democratic freedoms and economic developmet of public.
Pakistan’s potential to benefit from the indeginous digital economy are way higher than where it is currently stuck. The government must make the right choice between disproportionate and unlawful internet shutdowns, and an open and enabling digital ecosystem in Pakistan. Civil society organisations, including Bytes for All, have vehemently opposed such repressive and arbitrary measures, urging for the restoration of online freedoms. The economic impact of internet outages extends across all sectors, worsening current issues and impeding growth potential. A recent study by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) shed light on the economic repercussions of such shutdowns, revealing the substantial financial setbacks they entail. According to the study, a 24-hour suspension of internet services results in a staggering loss of Rs1.3 billion, equivalent to 0.57 per cent of the nation’s daily GDP average.
The negative consequences for online cab services, food delivery platforms, freelancers, and telco sector are severe on a daily basis. During internet outages, online taxi services saw an astounding 97 per cent drop in ridership, resulting in considerable financial losses. Similarly, food delivery companies experienced a 75 per cent reduction in orders, resulting in significant daily income losses.
The freelance community, which contributes significantly to Pakistan’s economy, is also hit hard by internet interruptions. Orders to Pakistani freelancers dried up due to connectivity issues, resulting in a loss of approximately $3 million in revenue in a single day, affecting livelihoods and national economic progress. 3G/4G services’ suspension alone resulted in a loss of Rs. 450 million to telecos, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of internet shutdowns on businesses and consumers alike.
Internet shutdowns impede access to educational and professional opportunities, particularly for youth in rural areas. It is cripplig for the youth already struggling in the hands of higher poverty and unemployment indicators. Frequent shutdowns prevent them to access online tools enabling to compete nationally and internationally. Simultaneously, they jeopardise opportunities, exacerbating existing inequalities and digital divides, and stifling socio-economic progress.
The state of Pakistan has a set pattern of controlling the internet spaces by employing conventional regulatory mechanisms as well as arbitrary actions such as shutdowns, posing a dual threat to freedom of expression and economic rights. The nation strives for progress and development, which is impossible without open, safe, and uninterrupted internet access. To fully harness the current economic potentials in terms of tapping outsourcing IT businesses globally, it is essential for government to uphold citizens’ socio-political and economic rights, and promote an open and inclusive digital environment conducive to growth and innovation.
The writer is a digital rights activist and media academic.
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