Abstract
This chapter delves into the issue of digital authoritarianism in Pakistan, despite it being a democracy, having a vocal social media landscape. The chapter examines how Pakistan's internet governance institutions have been abused by the government and how laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the Fair Trial Act have legalized and intensified state surveillance programs. The chapter investigates the technical aspects of digital authoritarianism, including the full network governance of the internet in Pakistan. It also highlights the role of religion, particularly Sunni Islam, in justifying and legitimizing digital authoritarianism in the country. Appeals to Islamic morals and religious authority have helped generate support for content blocking, banning of users, and even social media platform bans, which has allowed for restrictive government legislation that curtails citizens' right to free expression, information, and privacy.
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Yilmaz, I., Saleem, R.M.A. (2023). Digital Governance and Religious Populism in Pakistan. In: Yilmaz, I. (eds) Digital Authoritarianism and its Religious Legitimization. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-3600-7_5
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