The state of Pakistan is under fire again in the sphere of international relations, with accusations that it is in the process of muzzling freedom of expression and news and information about elections. In the light of statements of the US State Department denouncing Internet shutdowns and social media restrictions, relations between Washington and Islamabad got even more complicated. However, what do all these changes signify for Pakistan and its people?
The pronounced US State Department’s stance on Pakistan’s internet throttling underlines a deep incompatibility of the principle of state control and individual freedoms. Matthew Miller, the spokesperson, insists that the freedom of speech should be attended to. This distills an issue on whether governments should control the discourse online. As Pakistan remains defiant in the face of international demands to reinstate access to social media sites such as X (formerly Twitter), will it start listening to the community of nations, allowing the required platform for civil liberties at global level?
However, a high-level officer’s revelation about the electoral rigging adds a new dimension to the concern of the democratic process in Pakistan. The swift response of the Pakistani government with internet blackouts and social media restrictions begs the question: What are they hiding (that they don’t want me to discover)? Unlike in the past, the ease with which one can access misinformation on their social media platforms like X means that the narratives about election fraud are naturally intensified. How will this unveilment affect the acceptance of Pakistan’s election system both domestically and internationally?
Arrows diplomatic rubber necking goes beyond mere rhetoric as countries like the US, UK, and EU have expressed concerns on Pakistan’s electoral integrity. Such intense pressure also stretches existing allied ties and casts Pakistan as an isolated and excluded country. How will Pakistan cope with these diplomatic dilemmas, in particular, as they are faced with the changing ties with old allies and developing relations with regional powers?
Additionally, the historical setting creates a mixture of the modern situation. Initially a staunch partner during the Cold War, Pakistan’s relations with the US took a toll as it was implicated in supporting the Taliban insurgency and sudden rapprochement with India. Will Pakistan rethink about its current foreign policy agenda to get relief due to increasing international pressure or it will move forward with its existing relationships and agendas?
As the drama unfolds on the global stage, one thing remains certain: Pakistan’s actions in the coming days will have an effect on its government as well as on its whole population, which will be lasting. Will the opposition speak up, or will they set a fire for reform? The solutions are not far fetched as they lie in the leaders choice of Pakistan and the people‘s resolve in the face of the unexpected.
