Renowned Pakistani religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel has criticised the Council of Islamic Ideology’s (CII) recent fatwa declaring virtual private networks (VPNs) as un-Islamic.
He termed the decision a “mental problem” and dismissed it as incorrect.
Speaking to a private news channel, Maulana Tariq Jameel said, “I don’t know which Sharai council issued this fatwa. By this logic, mobile phones should also be prohibited because they allow access to similar content without a VPN.
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In my opinion, this fatwa is not justified.” He reiterated his view, calling it a mental hurdle rather than a religious one.
The fatwa, issued on Friday, declared the use of VPNs to access “immoral or illegal content” as contrary to Sharia, claiming it could lead to the “spread of evil.”
The council endorsed the government’s move to restrict VPN usage, stating, “We commend and support the state’s efforts in this regard.”
The controversy follows reports of restricted VPN access across Pakistan and complaints of poor internet connectivity. The federal government has set a deadline of November 30, 2024, for individuals and organisations to register their VPNs to avoid usage limitations.
The debate has sparked a nationwide discussion about the implications of regulating VPNs and their role in internet freedom.
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