Govt asks PTA to block illegal VPNs

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), on behalf of the Ministry of Interior, has called for the nationwide blockage of unauthorized Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), citing their misuse by terrorists and other illicit actors.

A letter addressing the matter highlights concerns over VPNs being exploited for concealing communications, facilitating financial transactions tied to terrorism, and accessing prohibited content. The letter emphasizes the alarming trend of VPNs usage in Pakistan to bypass restrictions and access pornographic and blasphemous material. It further notes that Pakistan ranks among top countries for visiting such sites using VPNs, raising both security and ethical alarms. To counter these challenges, the Interior Ministry asked the PTA to block illegal VPNs, calling for immediate action to disable unauthorized VPNs across the country and mandatory registration of the virtual private networks. All legitimate VPN users must register with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) by November 30, 2024, to ensure continued access to services, the letter concluded.

Meanwhile, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has declared use of software application Virtual Private Network (VPN) as against Sharia. In a statement on Friday, the CII said government is empowered to ban such software being used for access to objectionable, blasphemous and controversial materials and anti-state websites.

The CII Chairman, Allama Raghib Hussain Naeemi, said government and the state have the authority from Shariat point of view to take action against all measures which could provide access to immoral and insulting material. “Government’s action like ban on VPN conforms to injunctions of Shariat and as per recommendations of the Council”, CII chairman maintained.

He said Council appreciates government’s decision to ban VPN in Pakistan, saying getting access to any immoral and illegal matters through use of software applications like VPN is prohibited as per Sharia. He observed VPN is used with intention to open blocked websites and get access to illegal material. He stressed government should take care there should be effective ban on such technologies which also undermine supremacy and implementation of law.

The CII Chairman gave detailed reply while responding to a written question sent to the Council regarding use of VPN for reaching illegal and blocked websites. He mentioned VPN is created primarily for privacy and security purposes, while keeping identity and location of user secret.

“It has been observed the software application under discussion is used to watch banned websites which have been blocked by government”, he said.

He noted government banned the websites spreading disinformation and promoting immorality in the society. Data is also stolen online and there is no clue of culprits, he said.

The CII chairman said, “As per principles of Shariat, it is intention of anybody which provides logic for any act. Therefore, use of VPN, which violates Islamic social laws, is against Shariat. It amounts to assistance for committing any sinful act”.

The CII chairman said it is incumbent upon the Muslims to follow country’s laws provided they are not in conflict with Islamic injunctions and principles. He questioned whether there is no website from where people can enjoy entertainment, retrieve information and earn money.

He said the Council of Islamic Ideology at its meeting on May 20, 2023, recommended government to take measures to prevent misuse of social media and prohibit insulting and immoral material.

He said it was also recommended the cybercrime wing of FIA and Pakistan Telecom Authority should immediately start registration of websites and take action to ban VPN in the country.

Allama Naeemi said there should also be an awareness campaign on media through audio and video messages. “If government has banned any website or material, then trying to breach that blockade is not only unlawful act but also against morality”, he maintained.