Maulana Tariq Jamil criticizes CII’s ruling on VPNs

Notable religious scholar, Maulana Tariq Jamil has criticized the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) ruling over the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

The CII in its ruling termed the use of VPNs as "un-Islamic", citing their potential to access illegal and immoral content. 

VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, are commonly utilized to ensure online privacy and to gain entry to restricted websites. While authorities claim that VPNs are misused for illegal financial activities and terrorism, detractors argue that banning them fails to address broader societal and technological issues.

In a televised discussion, Maulana Tariq Jamil characterized the ruling as “narrow-minded,” contending, “Following this reasoning, even mobile phones should be prohibited since they grant access to objectionable content without a VPN.”

He rejected the ruling as unrealistic and excessively limiting.

In a statement, CII Chairman Allama Raghib Naeemi highlighted that technology enabling access to prohibited material is in violation of Islamic principles.

He remarked, “Utilizing VPNs for illicit purposes, such as circumventing restrictions to reach immoral or blasphemous content, contradicts Shariah.”

The council additionally supported government initiatives to block VPNs, viewing it as a strategy to protect societal values.

This ruling has intensified discussions in Pakistan regarding the balance between religious doctrines, modern technology, and individual liberties.