Pakistan’s top cleric says VPN use for immoral content is against Sharia, sparking censorship concerns

The Chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Allama Dr Raghib Naeemi, declared on 15 November 2024 that using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access immoral or illegal content is against Sharia.

Speaking on a television channel, Naeemi stressed the need for VPN users to register their services to ensure traceability and promote responsible use.

The declaration aligns with broader government efforts to regulate internet usage in Pakistan, including the push to block unauthorised VPNs.

The Ministry of Interior recently mandated VPN registration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), aiming to prevent misuse for activities deemed harmful to national security or societal values.

Naeemi clarified that registered VPNs would still be available for legitimate purposes but reiterated that users would not be able to access immoral content through such services.

“We will monitor how many people have registered VPNs and how many use them for positive purposes,” he said, emphasising that registration ensures traceability of online activity.

VPNs are widely used in Pakistan to bypass restrictions, particularly since the government blocked X (formerly Twitter) in February 2023 ahead of parliamentary elections.

Metrics now show that Bluesky, a popular alternative to X, has also been restricted in Pakistan, corroborating user reports of difficulties accessing the platform.

This adds to a growing number of social media bans imposed by authorities, which have targeted platforms used for political dissent and advocacy.

⚠️ Confirmed: Metrics show social media platform Bluesky, a popular X alternative, has been restricted in Pakistan, corroborating user reports of issues accessing the service; Pakistan has imposed a growing number of social media platform bans and is also targeting VPN services pic.twitter.com/Lt6vvyKnVI

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) November 20, 2024

The increased restrictions are also threatening Pakistan’s freelance economy.

Fozan Khan, a Pakistani user, highlighted the challenges on X: “Freelancers in Pakistan face challenges accessing tools for project-based work. Even with Fiverr and Upwork etc. accessible, many client-specific websites or payment gateways are restricted. VPNs become a necessity, but increasing censorship threatens this lifeline.”

Digital rights activists warn that tighter VPN regulations could further harm the country’s IT sector, which relies heavily on secure and unrestricted internet access to serve international clients.

Critics also fear the measures may disproportionately affect Pakistan’s growing freelance workforce, which has been a key source of foreign exchange earnings.

The Ministry of Interior has cited VPN misuse by militants as a justification for the ban. In a letter to the Ministry of Information and Technology, the Interior Ministry alleged that VPNs are increasingly exploited for violent activities, blasphemous content, and pornography.

Pakistan’s declining internet and media freedoms add to the concerns. The country ranks 152nd in the 2024 Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, with a score of 33.9 out of 100.

It also performed poorly in the 2024 Freedom on the Net report, which highlights increasing restrictions on digital platforms and non-transparent content removal policies.

Haroon Baloch, a prominent digital rights activist, said, “Banning X, restricting Bluesky, installing firewalls, and now pushing VPN regulations are calculated steps to silence opposition voices.”

The ongoing efforts to control VPN usage come amidst escalating security concerns. In Balochistan, the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) recently attacked security forces in Kalat, killing seven soldiers and six insurgents.

The government has linked VPN usage to insurgent groups, claiming it enables coordination of such attacks.

The CII’s involvement in technology-related matters has sparked criticism, with detractors questioning its expertise in the digital realm.

However, Naeemi has defended the decision, highlighting the importance of monitoring internet activity to ensure ethical use.

As the debate over VPNs continues, concerns grow about its impact on Pakistan’s IT and freelance sectors, which heavily rely on secure connections to global markets.

Combined with social media restrictions, including Bluesky’s apparent ban, and the country’s low rankings on press freedom and internet accessibility indices, the move signals a troubling trend of increasing digital suppression.