Pakistan has always been a nation guided by the timeless principle of peace, coexistence, and mutual respect. The Qur’an reminds us, “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it also and rely upon Allah” (Qur’an 8:61). Our national character has long reflected this divine instruction. Pakistan does not seek conflict, nor does it believe in aggression. Yet, when its sovereignty is threatened, it rises with unwavering resolve, for the Qur’an also commands, “And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war to terrify thereby the enemy of Allah and your enemy” (Qur’an 8:60). This balance between peace and preparedness is not merely a policy; it is a moral and spiritual obligation. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said: “Tie your camel first, and then trust in Allah,” reminding believers that reliance on God must be accompanied by vigilance and readiness.
History bears witness that Pakistan has adhered to these principles with dignity. In May 2025, the world saw once again that Pakistan is capable of defending itself not only in conventional warfare, but also in the advanced realms of technology and engineering. The excellence demonstrated by our scientists, cyber experts, and defence institutions established beyond doubt that Pakistan is neither weak nor unprepared. Yet the threats confronting the country are evolving, and our adversaries have now shifted their battleground to cyberspace, where silent wars wage behind screens, seeking to destabilize the very foundations of our society.
In recent years, the rise of illegal and unregistered VPNs has created a parallel, invisible network that has become a sanctuary for terrorism, extremism, and digital crime. Terrorist outfits and their splinter groups have mastered the use of these clandestine tools to hide their tracks, manipulate social media platforms, and broadcast propaganda designed to incite unrest in Pakistan. Intelligence reports reveal that many such accounts, once assumed to operate from within the country, were actually controlled from India and Afghanistan. The moment X introduced its location-reveal feature, the truth surfaced; a significant number of anti-Pakistan accounts were being run through illegal VPNs supported by RAW and other hostile intelligence networks. These channels allowed terrorists and their sympathizers to target Pakistani audiences, coordinate attacks, and spread falsehoods while remaining hidden from law enforcement.
At the same time, unregistered VPNs expose Pakistani youth to violent media, adult material, gambling platforms, fake-news hubs, and unregulated communities. This does not only damage psychological well-being but also erodes family structures, social safeguards, and educational integrity. It is in moments like these that the Qur’anic warning resonates with renewed urgency: “O you who believe, protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is people and stones” (Qur’an 66:6). Digital protection has now become an extension of this divine command.
The anonymity offered by illegal VPNs has further fueled cyberbullying, identity theft, hacking attempts, ransomware attacks, and online fraud. Law-enforcement agencies face unprecedented challenges, as these crimes carry no physical boundaries and leave little trace. Political manipulation has also proliferated through VPN-masked accounts, enabling anonymous actors to distort public narratives, spread misinformation, and disrupt Pakistan’s social cohesion. Unrestricted access to harmful content undermines regulatory systems and exposes society to materials designed to weaken our moral and cultural foundations. In this regard, the Prophet ﷺ said: “A believer is not stung from the same hole twice,” urging Muslims to learn from threats and prevent their recurrence—a principle that must guide Pakistan’s cyber policy today.
The economic repercussions are equally severe. Illegal VPN use enables tax evasion, digital piracy, unfair access to international marketplaces, and exploitation of geo-restricted platforms, harming local industries and Pakistan’s digital economy. Moreover, VPN traffic creates cyber blind spots, allowing malware, phishing networks, and foreign cyber intrusions to bypass the country’s digital firewalls and infiltrate sensitive governmental and corporate systems. The cumulative impact of this misuse forms an interconnected threat; national security, economic integrity, youth protection, political stability, and cyber resilience are all placed at risk.
The urgency to act has never been greater. What Pakistan needs is not a blanket ban on technology, but intelligent regulation, robust monitoring, and uncompromising enforcement. The way forward must begin with mandatory registration of all VPNs operating in the country. Only authorized and traceable VPNs should be allowed for corporate, institutional, and legitimate personal use. A national cyber-monitoring authority equipped with state-of-the-art systems should operate around the clock to detect and dismantle illegal VPN networks. Strong coordination between intelligence agencies, FIA, PTA, and financial regulators is essential to cut off the digital supply chains that sustain terrorism. Public awareness campaigns, especially for youth, must be launched to promote responsible digital behaviour and warn against illegal VPN use. Meanwhile, Pakistan must invest further in indigenous cyber-security expertise, nurturing teams capable of defending the country’s digital frontiers with the same strength our armed forces show on land.
Pakistan is a nation that desires peace but never hesitates to safeguard its dignity and sovereignty. As the Qur’an declares, “Allah loves those who fight in His cause in ranks as though they are a solid structure” (Qur’an 61:4). In this new age, where wars are fought in coded shadows rather than conventional fields, cyber security has become a cornerstone of national defence. With vigilance, unity, and unwavering resolve, Pakistan can secure its digital realm, protect its citizens, and ensure that its sovereignty remains unshaken.
Director General National Assembly Parliament House Islamabad.
