VPN use to access blocked sites deemed un-Islamic by CII

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 15 November 2024 |  JP Staff Report

The CII has ruled that using VPNs to bypass website blocks is un-Islamic. This decision aligns with efforts to curb access to immoral content.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has declared the use of VPNs to access blocked websites as un-Islamic.

In a statement issued on Friday, the CII stated that the government has the religious authority to prevent all actions that lead to "evil." Therefore, the government measures to block access to immoral and blasphemous content are under Sharia.

Earlier, the Ministry of Interior had written to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block illegal VPNs. The letter mentioned that terrorists use VPNs to hide their identities. The letter said Pakistan is considered one of the leading countries in terms of using porn sites using VPNs. "These trends warrant prohibition of unauthorized VPNs to address the critical threats."

Dr Ragib Hussain Naeemi, chairman of CII, said the council had presented recommendations regarding VPN usage, and implementing them is a commendable step. He added that using VPNs to access illegal content or blocked websites is religiously impermissible. The government must ban the use of such means that undermine societal values and adherence to the law.