Pakistan Cleric Declares VPNs Unlawful: Privacy Rights and Internet Access at Risk

VPN Use in Pakistan Declared Unlawful

Pakistan’s top cleric has ruled that virtual private networks (VPNs) are illegal. This declaration by Allama Raghib Naeemi, head of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), raises concerns about internet privacy and access to information.

Naeemi stated that it doesn’t matter if a VPN is registered or unregistered. He believes that accessing immoral sites or spreading harmful content through VPNs is un-Islamic. VPNs create secure connections, protect data, and help users bypass restrictions.

Internet service providers in Pakistan worry about potential blanket bans on VPNs. Shahzad Arshad, chairman of the Wireless and Internet Service Providers Association of Pakistan, emphasized that sweeping restrictions could alienate users who rely on VPNs for legitimate purposes like business and education.

Amnesty Tech warned that banning VPNs would violate privacy rights and limit access to information. Qibla Ayaz, a former CII chairman, suggested that the government may have influenced the CII’s stance on VPNs, similar to past requests.

Activists argue that these declarations support the government’s control over social media. Haroon Baloch, a digital rights activist, believes the VPN restrictions aim to crush political dissent. He noted that the government previously banned X after unsuccessful compliance attempts, pushing users to VPNs for access.

General Asim Munir, Pakistan Army Chief, acknowledged the role of technology in sharing information but expressed concern about misinformation online. He stated that misuse of VPNs by criminals justifies their prohibition.

This ongoing debate reflects the tension between privacy rights and government control in Pakistan’s digital landscape.