Pakistan’s top body of clerics declared that virtual private networks or VPNs violate Islamic laws, Pakistani officials said on November 18th, as the country’s Ministry of Interior seeks to ban the service, which allows people to evade censorship in countries with strict Internet controls.
Pakistan declares VPNs haram and bans their use
The country’s top religious advisory body ruled that using VPNs to access blocked or illegal content violates Shariah law.
Authorities claim VPNs are used for terrorism, accessing banned content, and “encouraging sin.” pic.twitter.com/ofeQKAHCzr— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) November 16, 2024
Raghib Naeemi, the chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology, a body that advises the Pakistani government on religious matters, said that Sharia allows governments to prevent actions that lead to the “spread of evil."
He added that any platform used to post content that is controversial, blasphemous, or against national integrity “should be stopped immediately.”
Millions of Pakistanis have been unable to access X (formerly known as Twitter) since February 2023, when the government blocked it before the parliamentary elections, except via VPN, a service that hides online activity from anyone else on the Internet.
Technology = Haram.
Marrying your Cousin = Halal.
Just Pakistani things— Tapashish Chakraborty (@TapashishC) November 17, 2024
Pakistani authorities claim they are banning VPNs to curb militancy, but critics argue that the proposed ban is part of reducing freedom of expression.
While VPNs are legal in most countries, they are outlawed or severely restricted in countries where authorities control Internet access or carry out online surveillance and censorship.
Among users of VPNs in the country are supporters of the country’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who have called for a march on the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, to pressure the government for his release.
No u r decoding it right
Actually there are more than 1 crore ex Muslims in Pakistan operating through VPN
That's why Pakis are afraid— RS (@Rahulsi10046) November 19, 2024
Pakistan often suspends mobile phone service during rallies of Khan’s supporters, but the declaration from the country’s top cleric stunned many Pakistanis.
The proclamation declaring that VPNs are against Sharia law came after Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior wrote a letter to the Ministry of Information and Technology asking them to ban VPNs because insurgents are reportedly using the service to propagate their agenda.
The ministry said that “VPNs are increasingly being exploited by terrorists to facilitate violent activities,” and they also want to deny access to “pornographic” and blasphemous content.
Authorities asked Pakistani internet users to register VPNs with the country’s media regulator, which will allow increased surveillance of Internet users.
