Prominent religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel has criticised the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for its recent fatwa declaring the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) as un-Islamic. He dismissed the decision as flawed and described it as a “mental issue.”
Speaking during an interview with a private news channel, Maulana Tariq Jameel questioned the rationale behind the fatwa. “I don’t know which council gave this ruling. If we go by this logic, mobile phones should also be banned because they allow access to the same content without a VPN. I believe this fatwa is not correct,” he said.
The fatwa, issued on Friday, stated that using VPNs to access “immoral or illegal content” is against Islamic principles and could promote “evil practices.” It further praised the government’s recent efforts to curb VPN usage, stating, “The move to ban VPNs is commendable, and we fully support it.”
Meanwhile, internet users across Pakistan have reported restricted access to VPNs and slower connectivity. The federal government has given a deadline of November 30, 2024, for individuals and organisations to register their VPNs to avoid disruption.
This development has sparked debate over online freedom and the balance between religious guidance and technological advancements in Pakistan.
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