Allama Dr. Raghib Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), stated that using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for purposes like making statements against national security or engaging in character assassination is considered “un-Islamic.”
CII’s Stance on VPN Usage
In a statement on Friday, the CII, which provides guidance to parliament on laws aligning with Islamic principles, declared that using VPNs for “immoral or illegal activities,” including accessing blocked or illegal content, contravenes Sharia law. Dr. Naeemi emphasized that Islamic teachings permit the government to take action against activities that promote “the spread of evil.”
Clarifying Appropriate Use of VPNs
Speaking to the media, Dr. Naeemi noted that the ethical nature of VPN usage depends on its purpose. “Whether registered or unregistered, if a VPN is used for accessing indecent sites, spreading character assassination, making anti-national security statements, or promoting incidents of religious blasphemy, then such use is entirely un-Islamic,” he explained. However, he clarified that using VPNs for educational, communicative, or positive purposes is acceptable. “Registered VPNs used for positive activities or constructive criticism pose no issue,” he added.
VPN Usage Determined by Intent
Dr. Naeemi likened VPN use to a loudspeaker, which is permissible when used appropriately but subject to legal consequences if misused, such as violating the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act 2015. This law aims to prevent public disturbances and the spread of inflammatory speech. He noted that the application of VPNs should be assessed based on their usage.
Alarming Statistics and Expert Insight
Dr. Naeemi cited information from a Pakistan Telecommunication Authority expert, highlighting that “15 million un-Islamic and immoral sites are accessed daily through VPNs.” This statistic underscored the reasoning behind CII’s concerns about unregulated VPN use.
Surge in VPN Use Amid Restrictions
VPN use in Pakistan has increased, particularly as a means to access platforms like X (formerly Twitter), which has been banned since February, as well as other restricted sites. Authorities argue that VPNs are also used to bypass filters on prohibited content and facilitate terrorist activities.
Dr. Naeemi referenced an Arabic proverb to illustrate that when an activity is widespread and habitual, it must be considered in its entirety when assessing its permissibility.
