As societies become more connected, states are recognising that the internet is no longer just a platform for communication or commerce; it is also a battleground for influence, security, and control. Countries have accordingly amended laws, strengthened cyber governance and built frameworks to counter emerging threats from digital platforms. In Pakistan, one of the most pressing challenges in this domain is the use of Virtual Private Networks, particularly illegal or unregistered VPNs, which have increasingly been exploited by extremist groups to operate with anonymity and evade monitoring.

A VPN is essentially a secure and encrypted digital tunnel that masks a user's real location, allowing access to internet services as if they were elsewhere. While globally it is a standard tool for privacy and business security, in Pakistan, its misuse has serious implications. Terrorist groups have leveraged these tools to conceal their online activities. They use VPNs to disguise their........

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