Dr. Raghib Naeemi, Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), addressed concerns surrounding the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), warning against their potential for misuse that contravenes Islamic principles. In a recent appearance on Geo News’ Geo Pakistan, Dr. Naeemi explained that while VPNs are tools with legitimate applications, their improper use—such as undermining national security or engaging in character assassination—is deemed “unIslamic.”
The CII, an advisory body for aligning national laws with Islamic teachings, issued a formal proclamation last Friday highlighting the consequences of using VPNs for illegal or immoral purposes. This includes accessing blocked or unlawful content, which Dr. Naeemi asserted is against Sharia law. He stressed that Islamic jurisprudence supports state measures to curb activities that foster societal “evil.”
“Whether it is a registered VPN or unregistered, if attempts are made to access indecent or immoral sites, character assassination is done, or statements are being made against national security, then [using] it would completely be unIslamic,” Dr. Naeemi stated. He pointed out that instances of blasphemy and harmful content dissemination also fall under prohibited activities.
However, he drew a distinction regarding permissible VPN use, noting that if VPNs are used for positive communication, education, or constructive criticism after proper registration, their use could be acceptable. “The action decides if it is Islamic or unIslamic,” he added, comparing VPN use to a loudspeaker under the Punjab Sound Systems (Regulation) Act 2015, where lawful usage is contingent on context.
The CII chief referenced insights from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, revealing that over 15 million unIslamic and immoral sites are accessed daily through VPNs, underscoring the scale of the issue. Authorities have raised alarms about VPNs being leveraged not just for accessing banned social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) but also for bypassing restrictions on explicit content and aiding terrorist activities.
The debate around VPN usage aligns with longstanding governmental concerns over digital regulation and public morality, as technology evolves within the socio-religious landscape of Pakistan.
