Online Radicalization in Pakistan: A case study of Youth in South Punjab

Abstract

The cyber technology has synchronized the world. The inventions of so many online tools have provided a veritable playground for Cyber terrorists to test their skills, to recruit, to propagate and to refund. They have changed their battle grounds from conventional to online. They are objectively targeting the youth by publishing romanticized videos of brotherhood, holy wars and likewise. These young individuals possess remarkable cyber capabilities, which can assist terrorists in not only radicalizing and recruiting new members but also in executing cyber-attacks against their adversaries. As Pakistan’s 64% of total population comprises of youth hence Pakistan is more vulnerable. It has no proper legislative framework to counter the posing threats of online radicalization and cyber terrorism. On the other hand, Extremist and terrorist organizations are cognizant of the fact that in order to endure in the ever-evolving landscape of warfare, they must modify and evolve their strategies. Online Radicalization of youth particularly in South Punjab has been a growing concern for the government and society in recent years. South Punjab, which comprises of Bahawalpur, Multan, and Dera Ghazi Khan Divisions, has witnessed an increase in extremist activities in recent years. South Punjab has become a breeding ground for terrorism, extremism, and militancy due to various factors like socio-economic disparities, religious intolerance, poor education, and lack of opportunities. They will persist in utilizing the Internet to sustain their current approaches, while also endeavoring to surpass them with novel, more efficacious techniques. This paper aims to explore the phenomenon of online radicalization of youth in South Punjab, Pakistan. The paper will analyze the statistical data related to online radicalization, the factors responsible for it, and the measures that can be taken to curb it.