Renowned Islamic scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil questioned the fatwa on the use of VPN (Virtual Private Network). Speaking on private television, Maulana Tariq Jamil questioned the rationale behind the fatwa on the use of VPN by the Islamic Ideology Council.
He asserted that if VPNs are considered haram then mobile phones should be put under this category as they can be used to access similar restricted content. He criticized the fatwa as the “narrow-minded” stance.
He further pointed out that mobile phones posed far more serious challenges due to their capacity to access harmful or inappropriate material, which could be more detrimental than VPN usage.
Maulana Tariq Jamal expressed his lack of knowledge regarding the specific religious council. He, however, reiterated his stance against the ban on VPNs.
Pakistan’s top advisory body on religious affairs, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), announced on Friday that using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access blocked online content is against Islamic law.
The declaration comes as the government intensifies efforts to implement a nationwide firewall and requires users to register VPNs with the state’s media regulator, citing reasons such as improving cybersecurity and combating terrorism.
Critics, however, argue that such measures expand online surveillance, restrict freedom of expression, and harm e-commerce. VPNs allow users to mask their identity and location online, enabling access to content that may be restricted in their country.
Read more: Pakistan Religious Body Declares VPN Use Against Islamic Law
The CII stated that VPNs in Pakistan are often used to access content deemed immoral or illegal according to Islamic principles or national laws, including pornography or disinformation sites. The council’s chairman, Raghib Naeemi, stated that using VPNs to bypass restrictions constitutes “abetting in sin” and is therefore prohibited under Islamic law. The council further emphasized that any technology used to facilitate illegal or unethical activities is impermissible in Islam.
Earlier on Friday, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block all unauthorized VPNs, claiming that they are exploited by terrorists for violent activities and financial transactions. The ministry also highlighted that Pakistan ranks among the top countries accessing pornography through VPNs, underscoring the need to curb unauthorized use of the technology.