Islamic scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil has voiced his concerns over the recent decree by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), which labeled Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as un-Islamic (haram). During an interview on Sunday, Maulana Tariq Jamil questioned the logic behind the CII’s decision, suggesting that if VPNs are considered haram due to their potential misuse, then mobile phones should also fall under the same ruling, as they can similarly be used to access restricted or inappropriate content.
He criticized the CII’s ruling, calling it a “narrow-minded stance” and warning of its broader implications. The scholar emphasized that mobile phones, with their widespread access to harmful material, pose a more significant challenge than VPNs, which are tools used for multiple legitimate purposes as well. Although he admitted to not being fully informed about the specific council responsible for the fatwa, he reiterated his disagreement with the ruling.
Also Read: Islamic Ideology Council Declares ‘Using VPN is Haram’
The debate arose after the CII’s declaration, which deemed VPNs illegal because they are often used to bypass internet censorship and access prohibited material, including pornography and blasphemous content.
In response to the criticism, CII Chairman Allama Dr. Raghib Naeemi clarified that the decree was based on concerns over the “misuse” of VPNs. According to Dr. Naeemi, the positive use of VPNs is minimal in Pakistan, while their primary usage revolves around accessing immoral content anonymously. He emphasized the importance of registering VPNs to ensure traceability and promote responsible usage, stating that unregistered VPN activity often makes it difficult to trace users who access inappropriate content.
Dr. Naeemi underscored that the CII’s stance aimed to prevent the misuse of technology for harmful purposes, while Maulana Tariq Jamil called for a more nuanced understanding of the issue, urging caution against blanket declarations without considering broader implications.
