Controversy Over VPNs in Pakistan
Chief of Council of Islamic Ideology Sparks Debate
In Islamabad, Pakistan, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has faced criticism after its chief, Raghib Naeemi, declared using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for accessing “immoral or illegal content” as un-Islamic. This statement has been criticized as an overreach and an attempt to limit free expression under religious justification.
Reactions from Critics
Critics, including digital rights advocates and lawmakers, argue that the decree targets freedom of expression and privacy. A CII member clarified that Naeemi’s statement was his personal view, not an official council decision. Prominent religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel questioned the logic of targeting VPNs, suggesting that mobile phones should be considered un-Islamic first if adult content is the issue.
Concerns Over Privacy
Nighat Dad, Executive Director of the Digital Rights Foundation, called the decree contradictory to constitutional privacy rights. Lawmakers like Senator Palwasha Khan have scheduled meetings to discuss VPN restrictions, raising concerns about potential monitoring of online activity by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
PTA’s Stance
The PTA has reiterated its requirement for commercial VPN users to register their services, with over 20,000 registrations processed so far. The debate has sparked broader discussions on technology, governance, and religious principles in Pakistan, with implications for digital privacy and freedom of expression.
Doubts Revealed
VPN -: VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It is a tool that helps people use the internet more securely and privately by hiding their online activities.
Un-Islamic -: Un-Islamic means something that is not in accordance with the teachings and principles of Islam, which is a major religion followed by many people in Pakistan.
CII -: CII stands for the Council of Islamic Ideology. It is a group in Pakistan that advises the government on whether laws are in line with Islamic teachings.
Raghib Naeemi -: Raghib Naeemi is the chief of the Council of Islamic Ideology in Pakistan. He made a statement about VPNs being un-Islamic.
Digital rights advocates -: Digital rights advocates are people or groups who work to protect people’s rights and freedoms on the internet, like privacy and freedom of expression.
Maulana Tariq Jameel -: Maulana Tariq Jameel is a well-known Islamic scholar and preacher in Pakistan. He often speaks on religious and social issues.
Nighat Dad -: Nighat Dad is a Pakistani lawyer and digital rights activist. She works to protect people’s rights on the internet.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority -: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is a government body that regulates telecommunication services in Pakistan, including internet services.
