Islamabad

Pakistan’s Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has declared the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) “un-Islamic,” supporting government efforts to block access to “immoral” or “blasphemous” content. VPNs, widely used across Pakistan, allow users to bypass internet restrictions, especially after the government’s ban on social media platform X.

CII Chairman Raghib Naeemi explained that preventing access to unethical material aligns with Islamic values. He emphasized that using VPNs to access restricted sites or conceal identity is prohibited under Islamic law. “VPNs can enable illegal activities, including digital theft, by hiding user identities, which violates both Islamic and societal laws,” Naeemi stated. He argued that using VPNs promotes sinful actions, contradicting Islamic ethics.

The CII’s stance coincides with a Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) report, showing that millions of attempts have been made to access prohibited content via VPNs. PTA also revealed that over five billion attempts to reach such sites have occurred.

The government is working to regulate social media and VPN usage, citing concerns over low internet bandwidth and misuse by terrorists spreading disinformation online. While some citizens and activists have criticized these measures, the CII’s statement strengthens the government’s position on limiting VPN access and social media use in Pakistan.