Pakistan's Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has declared the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as "un-Islamic," supporting government efforts to block access to content deemed immoral or blasphemous. This declaration comes as VPN usage surged following the government's ban on the social media platform X, with millions of users seeking to bypass restrictions.
CII chairman Raghib Naeemi emphasized that using VPNs to access prohibited content contradicts Islamic law, as it facilitates illegal activities and undermines accountability. The government, meanwhile, aims to register VPN services and curb the use of unregistered ones, citing national security concerns and the need to control internet bandwidth.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reported over five billion attempts by users to access inappropriate content via VPNs, raising alarms about digital safety and misuse. Critics argue that the government's actions infringe on citizens' rights and freedom of expression, intensifying the debate over internet governance in Pakistan.