Debate Over VPN Ban Intensifies in Pakistan

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in Pakistan has declared the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) as 'haram' or forbidden under Islamic law, a ruling that has sparked significant debate across the country. Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah has publicly disagreed with this fatwa, asserting that VPNs do not violate Islamic principles and should not be regulated by the CII. He criticized the PTI's planned protests against such bans, suggesting they are unrealistic and will fail. Renowned scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil also questioned the logic of the CII's ruling, arguing that if VPNs are deemed un-Islamic, then mobile phones should be as well, given their similar potential for accessing restricted content. The government, facing pressure to curtail internet censorship, has begun blocking unregistered VPNs, linking their use to terrorism and inappropriate content. This ongoing controversy highlights the tension between government regulations and public access to the internet in Pakistan.