Pakistan’s top clerics say VPNs violate Islamic law

Islamabad. Pakistan’s top clerical body has declared the use of virtual private networks, or VPNs, against Islamic law, officials said Monday, as the Interior Ministry sought a ban on the service, which helps people avoid censorship in countries with tight internet controls.

Raghib Naimi, head of the Council of Islamic Ideology, which advises the government on religious matters, said sharia allows the government to prevent actions that lead to “the spread of evil”. He added that any platform used to host content that is controversial, blasphemous or contrary to national integrity “should be stopped immediately”.

Millions of Pakistanis have been unable to access social media platform X since February 2023, when the government blocked it ahead of parliamentary elections, except through a VPN, a service that hides online activity from anyone on the internet.

Authorities say they want to ban the use of VPNs to deter militants. However, critics say the proposed ban is part of a crackdown on free speech.

VPNs are legal in most countries; however, they are prohibited or restricted in places where authorities control access to the Internet or engage in online surveillance and censorship.

VPN users in Pakistan include supporters of the country’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, who have called for a march on Islamabad on Sunday to pressure the government to release him.

Pakistan often shuts down mobile phone services during pro-Khan rallies. But Naemi’s statement over the weekend that using a VPN is against Sharia left many stunned.

Naemi’s order came after the Ministry of Interior wrote a letter to the Ministry of Information and Technology asking it to ban VPNs on the grounds that the service is being used by insurgents to promote their goals.

It said that “Terrorists are increasingly using VPNs to facilitate violent activities.” The ministry also wants to ban access to “pornographic” and blasphemous content.

Last week, authorities also asked internet users to register VPNs with Pakistan’s media regulator, which would allow for increased surveillance of internet users.

Pakistan is currently battling militants who have stepped up attacks in recent months.

On Friday, a separatist group of the Baloch Liberation Army attacked troops in Kalat, a district in Balochistan province, triggering an intense firefight that killed seven soldiers and six insurgents, according to police and the military. The BLA claimed the attack in a statement.

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