In northwestern Pakistan, internet access is now tougher than a gun license

Acquiring an internet connection in North Waziristan – a tribal district in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan – has become a daunting task, as new regulations impose a strict four-step verification process.

Officials say the move is meant to prevent misuse by “hostile” elements.

The Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office confirmed to Nukta that applicants must undergo tribal elders' verification, on-site inspections, intelligence clearance, and final approval from the DC Office, with re-verifications every six months.

A four-page notification states that the decision falls under the National Action Plan (NAP), a counter-terrorism strategy aimed at curbing unauthorized internet use.

According to the directive, those seeking a Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) internet connection must first apply with verification from two Maliks (tribal elders) and a stamp paper.

“The request will then be scrutinized at the Assistant Commissioner’s (AC) office, where a committee including representatives from PTCL, local administration, and police will conduct an on-ground verification,” the notification reads.

After this, the DC Office will carry out further vetting at the district level. A separate intelligence clearance will be required from multiple agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB), Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and Special Branch.

Only after receiving a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the DC Office will PTCL proceed with installation. Previously disconnected connections will also require the same lengthy process.

When contacted, the DC Office stated that the measure is meant to regulate internet access and prevent its misuse. Officials, however, did not respond to further queries.

Public Outcry

Journalist Rasool Dawar, who has applied for a PTCL connection, called the new policy a “mockery” of Waziristan’s people.

“Following the erstwhile FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) merger, Maliks no longer hold any status,” Dawar told Nukta. “Authorities have failed to name a single individual in Waziristan who misused the internet for terrorism. If such cases exist, action can be taken under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and cybercrime laws.”

He compared the process to acquiring a firearm license, arguing that the government is making internet access nearly impossible.

“Since Operation Zarb-e-Azb in 2014, Waziristan has remained without internet. Now, instead of facilitating access, these SOPs ensure it remains out of reach,” he said.

He added that the procedure is so cumbersome that even after a year, securing a connection would still be unlikely.

“Will officials have nothing else to do but remain caught up in this lengthy approval process?” he questioned.

Legal Challenge

Lawyer Sajjad Ahmed Mehsud condemned the notification as illegal and unconstitutional. He announced plans to challenge it in the Peshawar High Court.

“Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens, yet Waziristan’s people are subjected to different laws,” Mehsud said. “In other parts of the country, getting a PTCL connection only requires a national identity card.”

The new regulations have sparked concerns that the people of North Waziristan, who have long faced digital isolation, will continue to be cut off from the rest of the country and the world.