Govt-Backed Islamic Council Declares VPN Use ‘Haram’

The Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, has declared the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) as un-Islamic if it facilitates access to blocked or unlawful websites.

In his statement, he emphasized that it is the state’s responsibility, from a Shariah perspective, to curb all means leading to immorality. Measures such as banning VPNs to prevent access to unethical or blasphemous content align with Islamic principles and the council’s recommendations.

Dr. Naeemi stated that using the internet or software like VPNs with the intent to access prohibited content is forbidden in Shariah. He praised the government’s efforts to block VPNs and urged authorities to impose effective restrictions on technologies that undermine social values or legal compliance. He further clarified that VPNs, although widely used for security and privacy, are often exploited to access illegal or unethical websites, including those promoting immorality or spreading disinformation.

The chairman explained that according to Islamic principles, the permissibility of any action depends on its purpose and method. Since VPNs are used to bypass restrictions on illegal or blocked content, their use constitutes “assistance in sin,” which is explicitly prohibited in Shariah. He reminded that following the law of the land, provided it does not conflict with Islamic teachings, is obligatory for every Muslim.

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In a previous consultation held on May 30, 2023, the CII had recommended steps to curb the misuse of social media platforms and remove blasphemous and unethical content. These recommendations included registering social media websites with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing, banning all VPNs, and launching awareness campaigns through audio and video messages. Dr. Naeemi reiterated that breaking government-imposed blocks on websites for societal welfare is not only a legal violation but also a breach of Islamic ethics.

The CII chairman emphasized that there are no restrictions on accessing websites for lawful entertainment, information, or earning within Pakistan. He called for immediate actions to prevent the misuse of online platforms, urging the government to implement the council’s recommendations without delay to uphold societal and religious values.