PM adviser Rana Sanaullah discloses reason behind VPN blocking

Sanaullah says he is unaware of the government's views pertaining on the blocking and registration of VPNs in Pakistan

Tech Desk - Nov 18, 2024

PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah addresses a press conference. — APP/File

Rana Sanaullah, adviser to the prime minister Shehbaz Sharif on political and public affairs, said the misuse of social media platform X (formerly Twitter) prompted the government to implement the nationwide VPN ban, leading to a subsequent round of VPN registration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

Addressing a presser on Monday, the adviser to the premier remarked that the Council of Islamic Ideology's (ICC) take on VPN, declaring its usage against the teachings of Islam, was needless, adding that the council is not supposed to comment on issues like VPN usage.

Sanaullah said he was unaware of the government's views pertaining to the blocking and registration of VPNs in the country.

He also noted that VPN-related issues have nothing to do with Shariah (the ethical guideline of Islam).

The CII chief Dr Raghib Naeemi last week declared VPN usage to access “immoral or illegal content” un-Islamic, proclaiming that doing so goes against the dos and don'ts of Islam.

The proclamation drew digital rights activists and religious scholars expressing resentment at the declaration, questioning the authenticity of the claim made by the CII chief.