VPNs ‘un-Islamic’ if used for character assassination: CCI chief

The Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Allama Dr. Raghib Naeemi, stated on Monday that the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) for activities such as character assassination and spreading statements against national security is “un-Islamic.”

His remarks came after the CII issued a statement on Friday, declaring that it is against Sharia law to use VPNs for immoral, illegal, or harmful activities, including accessing blocked websites or illicit content.

In an interview on Geo News’ Geo Pakistan program, Dr. Naeemi emphasized that VPNs used for purposes like education, communication, or the dissemination of positive messages are permissible. He clarified that there is no issue with using a registered VPN for constructive activities or even for constructive criticism.

“The VPN conceals location and identity, and if it is being used for positive or legal purposes, it is not harmful,” he added.

However, the CII chairman warned that using VPNs to access indecent content, engage in character assassination, or spread blasphemous statements would be against Islamic principles.

“Whether a VPN is registered or not, its use for immoral or illegal activities, including spreading religious blasphemy or undermining national security, is completely un-Islamic,” Dr. Naeemi asserted.

The use of VPNs in Pakistan has surged in recent months, with many people utilizing the technology to access platforms like X (formerly Twitter), which has been banned since February, as well as other restricted websites.

Maulana Tariq Jamil, a prominent religious scholar, criticized the CII’s stance on VPNs in a televised discussion, calling the ruling “narrow-minded.”

He argued that such reasoning could extend to banning mobile phones entirely, as they can also be used to access objectionable content, even without a VPN.

“Following this logic, mobile phones should be prohibited too,” Jamil remarked, suggesting that the issue with VPNs is a broader concern about the availability of online content.