FAISALABAD – Pakistan’s leading religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil has condemned a recent fatwa (decree) issued by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), declaring the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) “un-Islamic” (haram).
Talking to a news channel, Jamil raised questions over the logic behind the issuance of such decree, stating that if the VPN’s are un-Islamic, mobile phones should also be declared “haram’ as these devices can also be used to access the inappropriate content.
He termed the CII’s fatwa as a “narrow-minded stance,” adding that he was not agreed with such kind of decree.
The reaction came after Chairman of Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi declared use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access blocked or unlawful websites as un-Islamic.
Amid contrasting statements, Council of Islamic Ideology chief Dr. Naeemi said state must take action to restrict immoral and unethical content, aligning with CII’s stance on blocking VPNs to uphold societal and religious values.
He backed support for government measures aimed at restricting these proxy networks, specifically those being used to access blasphemous or explicit material. Dr. Naeemi stressed that using internet or software like VPNs to access prohibited content is forbidden under Shariah law, labeling it as “assistance in sin.”
He commended government’s ongoing efforts to block VPN services and called for stronger enforcement to curb technologies that undermine legal compliance and moral values. He explained that while VPNs are typically used for enhanced security and privacy, they are frequently exploited to access illegal or harmful websites, including those spreading disinformation or promoting immoral content.
He further added that VPNs are often used to bypass restrictions on prohibited content, and such use is considered a violation of Shariah law.
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