Is VPN usage un-Islamic? CII faces backlash for opposition

Amid the ongoing digital deadlock which Pakistan has been reeling with, topped with the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) opposing the VPN usage un-Islamic, digital rights activists and religious scholars have questioned the authenticity of the claim made by the council.

The CII chief Dr Raghib Naeemi declared VPN usage to access “imm­oral or illegal content” un-Islamic, proclaiming that doing so goes against Sharia.

Following the proclamation, the council urged parliament to bring relevant legislation in line with Islamic teachings. 

Read more: Is use of VPN sinful for Muslims?

Contrary to remarks of the CII chief, Dawn reported that a CII member privy to the matter claimed the statement was Dr Naeemi’s “personal views”, lacking the consensus of all the higher-ups of the council.

The member added that leveraging technology to access inappropriate content cannot be categorised as a religious issue.

Almost all federal and provincial departments and officials still resorting to using VPNs to operate their X accounts evidence that the CII chief discouraging VPN usage is not resonating with widely accepted beliefs.

Moreover, the top brass associated with the federal government departments, inc­l­u­ding the PM House and the ministries of religious affairs, IT and telecom, foreign affairs and information, has regularly been posting on X.