VPN controversy in Pakistan: Islamic or un-Islamic? CII clarifies

'A typing error in our previous statement created a misunderstanding after ‘not’ was omitted from it,' CII chief explains
Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi speaks at a meeting on October 9, 2024. — Facebook@CouncilofIslamicIdeology
Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Dr Muhammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi speaks at a meeting on October 9, 2024. — Facebook@CouncilofIslamicIdeology

The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Wednesday finalised a 10-point declaration addressing the responsible use of technology, including social media and virtual private networks (VPNs) during its 240th meeting.

The declaration emphasised that under Article 191 of Pakistan’s Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of expression and access to information, provided it aligns with Islamic dignity, the country’s solidarity, and existing laws.

CII Chairman Dr Raghib Hussain Naeemi chaired the meeting and addressed the controversy surrounding a previous statement from the council that had labelled VPN usage as “un-Islamic.” He attributed the statement to a “clerical error”, explaining that the omission of the word “not” had caused the misunderstanding.

“No one has declared VPNs against Shariah or un-Islamic. A typing error in our previous statement created a misunderstanding after ‘not’ was omitted from it,” Dr Naeemi said during a press conference following the meeting.

He clarified that the statement was derived from his Friday sermon and rejected suggestions that it had been issued under external pressure.

Dr Naeemi also expressed concern about the misuse of technology, stating that it was “a matter of shame for the nation that 20 million Pakistanis visited websites having blasphemous, vulgar material and content against national security.”

He reiterated the government’s November 30 deadline for registering VPNs, stressing that all users, including ministers and officials, should comply with this regulation.

Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi, present at the press conference, emphasised that the council’s stance was devoid of political motives. “We only wanted that there should be no use of any software for blasphemy and vulgarity,” he said, adding that Dr Naeemi’s clarification addressed criticism from religious circles and the broader public.

The CII also issued a 10-point declaration outlining its position on social media and technology use. It noted that while social media serves as a powerful tool for expression, it also poses risks of misuse.

Key points from the CII declaration

  1. Social media should be used responsibly to promote Islamic teachings, character-building, education, and lawful activities such as business, preaching, and national security.
  2. The use of social media for blasphemy, fake news, indecent material, lawlessness, and sectarianism is strictly prohibited and deemed against Shariah.
  3. VPNs, in themselves, are not un-Islamic; their permissibility depends on their use. If used for blasphemy, anarchy, or activities threatening national security, they contravene Shariah.
  4. Citizens are encouraged to use registered VPNs, and the government should ensure the facilitation of lawful applications of technology while taking measures to curb misuse.
  5. All government organisations should actively monitor social media platforms and enforce laws to prevent harmful activities.

The council further acknowledged that outright bans on technology are not a solution to its misuse. Instead, the government should promote the positive use of technology, provide alternatives, and implement administrative safeguards.