CII Chairman Clarifies VPN Fatwa: Usage Deemed Un-Islamic

Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Dr. Raghib Hussain Naeemi, clarified the council’s recent fatwa regarding Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), emphasizing that their use is deemed un-Islamic only when accessing immoral content or spreading false propaganda.

Speaking to a private news channel, Naeemi stated that whether registered or unregistered, VPNs are prohibited if used for indecent activities or blasphemous content, reflecting the council’s November 15 stance on blocking immoral online material. He acknowledged that VPNs are acceptable for constructive criticism when registered.

The CII’s position drew criticism from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Rana Sanaullah, who argued that VPN restrictions fall outside the council’s jurisdiction.

Sanaullah defended government measures on VPN regulations, asserting they are intended to curb social media misuse and should not be conflated with religious rulings.