Islamabad, November 20, 2024 – Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi has categorically denied declaring virtual private networks (VPNs) “un-Islamic,” explaining that a “typo” in the council’s statement caused the confusion amid the government’s deadline to block all unregistered encrypted networks this month.
“No one has declared VPNs to be against Shariah or un-Islamic,” CII Chairman Naeemi said during a press conference in Islamabad. He clarified, “A typing error in our previous statement led to a misunderstanding after the word ‘not’ was omitted.”
This formal clarification followed widespread criticism after the council’s November 15 fatwa (Islamic decree), which had declared the use of VPNs “un-Islamic.”
CII Chairman Naeemi explained that the council had convened to discuss the use of social media in the country in the context of Islamic principles. He emphasized that while social media platforms are valuable tools for public expression, they should not be used to promote blasphemy, religious hatred, extremism, or terrorism. “If these regulations are violated, then the use of social media will be un-Islamic,” he said.
Earlier this week, the CII Chairman clarified the council’s stance on private VPN gateways, stating that whether they are considered Islamic or un-Islamic depends on how they are used.
It is also worth noting that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has extended the grace period for unregistered VPNs until November 30. This decision comes amid growing concerns over the misuse of unauthorized VPNs for illegal activities, such as bypassing internet restrictions and accessing prohibited content. Many businesses and individuals rely on VPNs for secure communication and data protection, and the PTA’s decision is expected to affect these users.
Starting December 1, the PTA will begin a nationwide crackdown on unregistered VPNs. A successful trial of VPN blocking has already been conducted, with plans for a second trial in the coming days to ensure readiness for the full-scale shutdown, according to sources. The decision reflects the government’s efforts to tighten control over digital networks to combat illegal online activities.
