Pakistan Council Declares VPN Use Un-Islamic

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in Pakistan declared the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access blocked content as un-Islamic, citing concerns over immorality and potential misuse by terrorists. This statement comes amid government efforts to enhance cybersecurity, including deploying a nationwide firewall and requiring VPN registration with the media regulator. CII Chairman Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi emphasized that VPNs facilitate access to prohibited content and can aid in cybercrimes, thus violating both Islamic and societal laws. Critics argue that such measures infringe on freedom of expression and increase online surveillance. The Ministry of Interior has also urged the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to block illegal VPNs, claiming their misuse poses risks to national security. The CII's stance aligns with earlier recommendations for stricter controls over internet usage and social media regulation.